History Talks: Edwin Booth and the Burden of Memory
Thursday, January 21, 2027
After his brother assassinated Abraham Lincoln, Edwin Booth faced a question few Americans could imagine: how do you live with a name the nation has come to hate? Drawing on emerging scholarship, historian Elizabeth Reese explores how the celebrated actor navigated public suspicion and private grief, transforming personal tragedy into a performance of redemption and national healing.
This program will take place virtually via Zoom Webinar.
History Talks investigates facets of Abraham Lincoln’s complex legacy and its relevance to today. These engaging talks, designed for history enthusiasts of all ages, feature compelling visuals with content experts delving into Lincoln’s legacy and the world of Civil War Washington.
Guest Speaker
Elizabeth M. Reese is a historian specializing in public memory, family ties, and grief. She is Senior Manager of Public Programs and Interpretation at Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House and the author of Marquis de Lafayette Returns: A Tour of America’s National Capital Region (The History Press, 2024). Elizabeth holds an M.A. in American History from Gettysburg College and is currently writing a book on Edwin Booth, grief, and post-Civil War American theatre.