Renowned Lincoln biographer, scholar at Rockford College Jan. 19

Michael Burlingame

Staff Report

Michael Burlingame, Ph.D., recognized as one of the premier scholars and biographers of Abraham Lincoln, will present his talk, “Lincoln: the Indispensable Man,” at Rockford College’s Fisher Memorial Chapel at 4 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 19.

Dr. Burlingame’s lecture is the first event of the college’s Spring 2012 Forum Series.

Dr. Burlingame is a premier scholar of Abraham Lincoln, authoring several books while receiving numerous awards for his research.

Referring to Dr. Burlingame’s Abraham Lincoln: A Life, Time magazine Holiday Buying Guide 2008 asserts: “Burlingame is a towering figure in Lincoln scholarship, and students of the 16th president have been waiting for this book for years. For all his learning — Burlingame may know more about Lincoln and his era than anyone in the world. …”

Burlingame is holder of the Chancellor Naomi B. Lynn Distinguished Chair in Lincoln Studies at the University of Illinois at Springfield. His presentation, “Lincoln the Indispensable Man,” focuses on how Lincoln’s leadership proved to be the key factor that allowed the North to win the Civil War.

The 1860 presidential election and Lincoln’s victory proved to be a critical turning point for the country. Lincoln’s particular abilities defined the course of the Civil War and America’s history.

The event is free and open to the public. Tickets are required. Fisher Memorial Chapel is accessible. For tickets, contact the Rockford College Box Office at (815) 226-4100.

To see the complete Spring 2012 series line-up, visit http://www.rockford.edu/?ForumSeries. To learn more about Dr. Burlingame, visit http://www.michaelburlingame.com.

Rockford College is also a sponsor of Midway Village and Museum’s 10th Annual Civil War Symposium Saturday, Jan. 21, at which Dr. Burlingame will be the featured speaker.

From the Jan. 18-24, 2012, issue