Join the John Brown House Museum, a museum of the Rhode Island Historical Society, on Thursday, June 12, at 5:30 p.m., for a talk by author Don Hagist on his book The Revolution's Last Men: The Soldiers Behind the Photographs to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States Army.
During a Civil War that threatened to tear the United States apart came the realization that only a handful of veterans of the American Revolution still survived. Six of these men were photographed and interviewed for a book that appeared late in 1864. Their images have captivated generations since, but through a combination of faded memories and the interviewer’s patriotic agenda, the biographies accompanying these photographs were garbled and distorted, containing information that ranged from inaccurate to implausible.
During this talk, Hagist will highlight how his primary source research has resulted in a new perspective on the actual service of these soldiers – some of the first men to serve in the US Army – from enlistment to discharge, along with details about their post-war lives. While the photographs of these aged veterans continue to capture imaginations, The Revolution’s Last Men puts their service into perspective and allows these men to be understood for who they were.
Guests may enjoy a light reception prior to the talk. The reception begins at 4:30 p.m., with the talk starting at 5:30 p.m. Advance tickets are recommended as space is limited.
Hagist, editor of the Journal of the American Revolution, is an independent researcher specializing in the demographics and material culture of the British Army in the American Revolution. He maintains a blog about British common soldiers (http://redcoat76.blogspot.com) and has published a number of articles in academic journals. His books include Noble Volunteers: the British Soldiers who Fought the American Revolution (Westholme, 2020) and These Distinguished Corps: British Grenadier and Light Infantry Battalions in the American Revolution (Helion, 2022). Hagist is an engineer in Rhode Island, and also writes for several well-known syndicated and freelance cartoonists.
The Rhode Island Historical Society, the state's oldest and only statewide historical organization, is dedicated to honoring, interpreting and sharing Rhode Island's past to enrich the present and inspire the future. Founded in 1822, the RIHS is an advocate for history as a means to develop empathy and 21st -century skills, using its historical materials and knowledge to explore topics of timeless relevance and public interest. As a Smithsonian Affiliate, it is dedicated to providing high-quality, accessible public programming and educational opportunities for all Rhode Islanders through its four sites: the John Brown House Museum, the Museum of Work & Culture, the Mary Elizabeth Robinson Research Center and the Aldrich House.
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