Family Feud: Lincoln's First Inaugural and the Colonial Origins of Union

Alexander Hughes ‘25

In entering the presidential office, Abraham Lincoln faced a crisis which was philosophical as much as it was practical. We will examine how Lincoln's treatment of early American history, especially the 1774 Articles of Association, in his First Inaugural supports an idea of the Union intended to resolve that crisis. In particular, this lecture will argue that his idea of the Union, which is as an intergenerational moral and political project, finds expression in Lincoln's thought through familial imagery. 

Alexander Hughes ‘25

Alexander Hughes is a senior studying Government at Harvard College. His academic interests include defense policy, republican theory, and the writings of Abraham Lincoln. He most recently worked as a communications intern for the House Select Committee on the CCP. He was also formerly the editor-in-chief of the Salient, Harvard's student-run conservative magazine, and the president of the Harvard Republican Club. He has been a John Aroutiounian Fellow at AAI for 2 years.

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