Theatre has always given people space to reflect on emotion and history. As @elizamreese.bsky.social says, it’s one of our most important art forms. Listen as we explore Edwin Booth’s legacy—and what the theatre meant to him—on Say It With History. redcircle.com/shows/6092bd...

I have voted in every single election I was eligible for since the day I turned 18 and today, for a firestorm primary, was the first time I've ever had to stand in line.

I don't often find myself thinking about John Wilkes Booth's feelings, but I do occasionally find myself wondering what he (a Know-Nothing supporter) would say if he knew that the most engaging and enriching portrayal of him in the 21st century was done by a West Belfast Catholic actor.

Hi, I’m John Marks, I’m a public historian and writer. I’ve been helping history museums prepare for the nation’s 250th anniversary for 9 years now. Despite everything else happening in history, I’m still excited about this anniversary—and you should be too. Here’s why. 🧵 /1

I had such a wonderful time talking to Holley about Edwin Booth, grief, and celebrity!

Working on a book proposal while the world falls apart feels an awful lot like this:

Watch out Swifties - Lafayette was first. Check out @elizamreese.bsky.social on 2 Complicated 4 History! (2c4hpod.com)

The slow, methodical work of archival research is often seen as an "aesthetic" but it is often the most time consuming and mental-labor intensive. Here I reflect on this work, my recently completed graduate degree, and more. open.substack.com/pub/elizabet...

The slow, methodical work of archival research is often seen as an "aesthetic" but it is often the most time consuming and mental-labor intensive. Here I reflect on this work, my recently completed graduate degree, and more. open.substack.com/pub/elizabet...

I cannot stress how good this book is. Every moment I'm not reading it, I'm thinking about it. It's so much more than the Shakespeare authorship question, though that's a major part, obviously. Favorite read of the year. "Shakespeare Was a Woman and other Heresies" by Elizabeth Winkler

This is absolutely awful news. Bill was a brilliant, passionate leader; he was everything good about this work and a beacon during a dark time. "Sculpting History" is perhaps the most profound exhibit I've ever seen. I am honored to have known him and I will miss him.

Christmas Eve is my favorite night to reflect on traditions and ancestors. Lighting my bayberry candle by the light of our Christmas tree, in front of a portrait of my great-great-great-great grandfather.

I know grades don't matter in the real world, but I finished my master's degree with a 4.0 GPA and I'm so, so proud of myself.

Grad school was a dream ten years in the making and now, it's done. I'll be more coherent soon, but this is the first time since 2022 I haven't been on deadline. It won't last long (I have a lot on the horizon) but I'm making it my mission to enjoy the rest of the year by doing NOTHING!!

And on a cold, December night, I finished my master's thesis.

I got tired of studies saying historians were one of the top professions that could be replaced by AI. It just didn't sound right to me. Librarians, curators, and teachers all score as much less "replaceable", and lawyers score much, much lower still. And I think I figured out why. /1

I'm ahead of schedule and on track to turn in my master's thesis at some point this weekend. Feeling an awful lot like Victor Frankenstein right about now.

Plus you’ll hear about @katecarp.bsky.social’s favorite pens (and mine)! We shared a lot of excellent nerdy joy here about thinking and writing history.

The number one piece of advice I can give people starting major research projects is to do your own transcriptions. There is no better way of understanding your subject, their lives, and who they were than looking at their handwriting and using your brain to figure out what they're saying.

I fully understand I am in the throes of my thesis deadline BUT....Morgan Spector please answer my calls

I've been feeling a lot of woo-woo signs from the universe lately but none more than today when I passed a set of street signs that were "LAFAYETTE" "ELIZABETH" "WOODLAWN" & "BOOTH"

Just in case you'd rather listen to the American Revolution then scramble to find the login for your PBS app, may I offer you something that will leave your Worlds Turned Upside Down? Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/w... Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/5OfU87p... Website: www.r2studios.org

It Happened to Me: American Airlines cancelled my flight while I was at the airport. 🫠

I'll be speaking about my research on Edwin Booth, celebrity, and grief in Alexandria, VA next week and tickets are almost gone! If you're looking for something to do next Saturday, I can promise that you'll learn something new! www.eventbrite.com/e/brother-to...

My thesis deadline is a month away. This is about how I'm feeling right now.

Normal People Don’t Want This Shit is running away with the vote tonight

ulysses s grant

What's the future hold for public historians? In our latest digital history column, Rich Condon reflects on where things stand—and the challenges going forward—for those on the front lines of historical interpretation. Read it here: bit.ly/4qGcyNA @richcondon.bsky.social

HBD 🎂 (290?!) to the one and only John Adams! From the #archives: I wrote about how the descendant of a Puritan maltster raised a glass… 🗃️ earlyamericanists.com/2015/10/30/a...

The latest edition of my newsletter "The Ties of Time" is out today. My current research has personal roots, and this issue was a very special one to write. I'd love to hear your thoughts. elizabethmreese.substack.com/p/flesh-of-y...

See you tomorrow morning! elizabethmreese.substack.com

History pals! Do you know someone majoring in American history as an undergraduate or graduate student? DAR just announced it will award 10 scholarships, at $25,000 each, in honor of America250. Application portal opens on Nov 1st - happy to answer questions via DM! www.dar.org/discover/med...

A few days ago I pulled Charles Clarke's manuscript on his observations of Edwin Booth's Hamlet. Clarke saw Booth perform several times and wrote each inflection, gesture, and movement. It's the closest thing we have to watching Booth perform his most famous role in lieu of a recording.

My inbox was full of questions and requests for more information about the history and architecture of the White House. Naturally, I focused this week’s History Behind the Headlines newsletter on answering these questions. You can read the full issue and subscribe here:

Just thinking about this soliloquy today... Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player That struts and frets his hour upon the stage And then is heard no more. It is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury Signifying nothing.

I’m very excited to announce my new venture, LincolnAssassinationTours.com. We offer an all day guided bus tour covering the escape & manhunt for Abraham Lincoln’s assassin. Experience history firsthand as we hunt down John Wilkes Booth in the comfort of an air conditioned motorcoach. #skystorians 🗃️

“If People See the Capitol Going On, It Is a Sign That We Intend the Union Shall Go On.” open.substack.com/pub/kevinmle...

Thank you so much for Madeline at Emerging Civil War for highlighting my current research in this interview. I'll never turn down an opportunity to talk about Edwin! emergingcivilwar.com/2025/10/22/e...

DC-area friends! I'll be presenting some.of my research on Edwin Booth, celebrity, and grief at Lee-Fendall House in Alexandria on November 15! A perfect way to (belatedly) celebrate Edwin's birthday! More information: www.eventbrite.com/e/brother-to...

I have not been keeping up with my substack, but this changes tomorrow morning! substack.com/@elizareese?...

I made a Ralph Ingersoll and Martha Gellhorn appreciation meme.

I have a few lectures and interviews about my project-in-progress lined up and it's the most motivating thing. If you're interested in learning more about Edwin Booth and the impact of celebrity, grief, and memory on American theatre, let me know!

Historians who write books, please a) set up your own author website, independent of your university profile and b) get some professional headshots taken. Love, your friendly neighborhood podcaster.

Today was a whirlwind research day, but here are some of the highlights. Paging @linconspirators.bsky.social...

After the past week, where my thesis has sadly become more relevant than ever, the time I've spent reconnecting with the primary source material has been very much needed. I've been thinking an awful lot about Edwin Booth these past few days. Hoping that his story is a comfort to others, too.

#OTD in 1849, a fifteen-year-old Edwin Booth made his stage debut in Boston as Tressel in Richard III alongside his father, Junius Brutus Booth, in the titular role. This daguerreotype of the father and son was taken only a few months later.

Big weekend for this Edwin Booth scholar when I got to see THE crash out letter with my own two eyes. "I must sell this house and get rid of 'Boothden' as soon as possible, in order to support my son (of a bitch) in-law who does nothing but spend money, smile, and live on his wife's father." (1/2)

Muster is looking for new contributors! We want to include a wide range of voices from many different of perspectives. Please share the following call widely. www.journalofthecivilwarera.org/2025/08/call...

My thesis prospectus was officially approved today!

Happy 73rd birthday Joe Strummer. Your spirit is needed now more than ever. This is not the time to be dismayed. This is what Joe Strummer trained you for.