Today Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective, is joined by the Sumner R. and Marshall S. Kates Professor of English and of African and African American Studies at Harvard University, John Stauffer. 

John and Maureen dive into his book Picturing Frederick Douglass which has become a national bestseller. The two talk about images of Frederick Douglass, and how photos of individuals from history can give us a fuller picture of their lives. 

John delves into telling the audience more about Frederick Douglass’ life and work but also explains how he believes that Douglass’ rebellion in how he was photographed, in how often he was photographed, and his passion for pushing standards, makes him a critical figure not only in our nation’s history but also the history of photography.

 

Related Episodes:

Episode 131: Visualizing Equality: African American Rights in Photographs and Drawings with Dr. Aston Gonzalez

Episode 101: Rediscovering an American Community of Color

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About My Guest:

JOHN STAUFFER is the Sumner R. and Marshall S. Kates Professor of English and of African and African American Studies at Harvard University. He is the author or editor of 20 books and over 100 articles, including GIANTS: The Parallel Lives of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, a national bestseller; and the award-winning Black Hearts of Men, Battle Hymn of the Republic, and Picturing Frederick Douglass. His essays and reviews have appeared in Time, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Washington Post, and in exhibition catalogs, journals, and books.

Professor Stauffer has presented on CNN and other national TV and radio stations and has served as a consultant or co-curator on films, exhibitions, and video games including God in America, Django Unchained, WAR/PHOTOGRAPHY, The Free State of Jones, The Abolitionists, Picturing Frederick Douglass, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Reconstruction: America After the Civil War.

He received three teaching awards from Harvard and was named a Walter Channing Cabot Fellow for “achievements and scholarly eminence in the fields of literature, history, or art.” The Harvard Class of 2021 voted him “Harvard Favorite Profess

I'm thrilled to be offering something new. Photo investigations. These collaborative one-on-one sessions. Look at your family photos then you and I meet to discuss your mystery images. And find out how each clue and hint might contribute to your family history. Find out more by going to maureentaylor.com and clicking on family photo investigations. 

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