Dining with Jefferson
Thomas Slaughter
Wednesdays, April 13 & 20
John Kennedy famously quipped at a dinner party for American Nobel laureates that there had not been so much intellect at a White House meal since Thomas Jefferson ate there alone. Jefferson was a sociable fellow, though; he preferred to have guests, was a gourmet, served fine wine and a continental menu, and was a brilliant conversationalist. He loved to talk about his house, garden, family, political philosophy, the New Testament, great literature, and the events of the day. There were also subjects that a polite guest would avoid—Jefferson’s slaves, his mother, and Aaron Burr, to name a few.
This seminar prepares you to dine with our third President. We will inform ourselves about Jefferson’s tastes and prejudices, about the inner and outer man. Our reading of topical selections from Jefferson’s writings, the film we view, the biography of him that we read, and our conversations about him will consider Jefferson’s complexities, sensitivities, mind, and life. On the afternoon of the second day of the seminar, we will share a multi-course catered lunch of authentic recipes that Jefferson served at Monticello and the White House.
“Dr. Slaughter was great! He encouraged discussion and talked freely on any topic related to Thomas Jefferson.”
“I will use the information as a base for discussion in my classes especially as an historical reference.”
“It has made me more curious about the beginnings of our nation and the people involved. I have several more books on my “have to read” list.”
| Thomas P. Slaughter, (Ph.D., Princeton University) is the Andrew V. Tackes Professor of History at the University of Notre Dame. Professor Slaughter is the author of four books about Early American history: The Whiskey Rebellion: Frontier Epilogue to the American Revolution; Bloody Dawn: Racial Violence in the Antebellum North; The Natures of John and William Bartram; and Exploring Lewis and Clark: Reflections on Men and Wilderness. He is also editor of Thomas Paine: Common Sense and Related Writings and William Bartram: Travels and Other Writings. Professor Slaughter has 20 years of teaching experience, and his teaching and books have won numerous awards. |
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