February Clements Bookworm Conversation

The Clements Bookworm is an online event for history lovers. We invite authors, collectors and members of the community to discuss topics related to history. Drawing inspiration from the esteemed tradition of Clements Library researcher tea time, we extend a warm invitation to join our [virtual] table. The January and February Clements Bookworm Conversations will be in discussion with scholars who examine and illuminate the journey for racial equality, echoing the principles expressed by Martin Luther King Jr. Both events below highlight the resilience of Black individuals who fought against discrimination and contributed to societal change. It also examines how Black history is a crucial part of American history, and calls attention to the complicated tale of our nation’s past. January 19 @ 10 am “The Grimkes: The Legacy of Slavery in an American Family” Kerri Greenidge in conversation with Martha Jones Join author Kerri Greenidge as she discusses how she reexamines the story of the renowned white abolitionist Grimké sisters, shifting the focus to their Black relatives. The Grimkés is presented as a landmark biography that explores the complex and conflicted legacy of racial myths within the family, echoing through American history. February 16 @ 10 am Conversation with Jill Newmark, author of Without Concealment, Without Compromise: The Courageous Lives of Black Civil War Surgeons Of some twelve thousand Union Civil War surgeons, only fourteen were Black men. This book is the first-ever comprehensive exploration of their lives and service. Jill L. Newmark’s outstanding research uncovers stories hidden for more than 150 years, illuminating the unique experiences of proud, patriotic men who fought racism and discrimination to attend medical school and serve with the U.S. military. Their efforts and actions influenced societal change and forged new pathways for African Americans.