Discovering Lincoln Through the Eyes of Douglas with Dr. Jonathan White

Practical Wisdom for Leaders with Scott J. Allen, Ph.D.

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Dr. Jonathan W. White is a professor of American Studies at Christopher Newport University. He is the author or editor of 17 books covering various topics, including civil liberties during the Civil War, the USS Monitor and the Battle of Hampton Roads, the presidential election of 1864, and what Abraham Lincoln and soldiers dreamt about.
Among his awards are the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia’s Outstanding Faculty Award (2019), CNU’s Alumni Society Award for Teaching and Mentoring (2016), the Abraham Lincoln Institute Book Prize (2015), and the University of Maryland Alumni Excellence Award in Research (2024).
His recent books include A House Built By Slaves: African American Visitors to the Lincoln White House (2022), which was co-winner of the Gilder Lehrman Lincoln Prize (with Jon Meacham); Shipwrecked: A True Civil War Story of Mutinies, Jailbreaks, Blockade-Running, and the Slave Trade (2023); Final Resting Places: Reflections on the Meaning of Civil War Graves (2023); and an exciting new children’s book, My Day with Abe Lincoln (2024).
A Quote From This Episode

• "Viewed from the abolition ground, Lincoln seemed tardy, cold, dull; but measured by his country, he was swift, zealous, radical, and determined.”

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• Book: Measuring the Man: The Writings of Frederick Douglass on Abraham Lincoln
• Article: Flag burning has a long history in the U.S. — and legal protections from the Supreme Court

About The International Leadership Association (ILA)

• The ILA was created in 1999 to bring together professionals interested in studying, practicing, and teaching leadership. Plan for Prague - October 15-18, 2025!

About Scott J. Allen

• Website
• Weekly Newsletter: Practical Wisdom for Leaders
• Blog

My Approach to Hosting

• The views of my guests do not constitute "truth." Nor do they reflect my personal views in some instances. However, they are views to consider, and I hope they help you clarify your perspective. Nothing can replace your reflection, research, and exploration of the topic.

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פרקים

1. Introduction to Jonathan White (00:00:00)

2. Douglass's Criticism of Lincoln (00:04:53)

3. First White House Meeting (00:07:00)

4. Evolving Relationship and Views (00:10:17)

5. Discovering Lost Douglass Letters (00:17:14)

6. Lincoln's Approach to Black Suffrage (00:23:23)

7. Douglass After Lincoln's Death (00:27:19)

8. White's Upcoming Research Projects (00:31:58)