2008 Woodie Awards
Famed biographer discusses country's best presidents
Delia Mooney
Issue date: 10/1/08 Section: News
Nigel Hamilton, an award-winning biographer, spoke at Suffolk last Thursday as part of the 5th annual Derek Coward Lecture.
The Coward lecture was established in 1997 by Derek W. F. Coward, an associate professor of marketing for the Sawyer Business School.
Before Hamilton spoke about his recent piece, Twelve American Ceasars-And What the Next President Can Learn from Them, he started his lecture by reminding the audience of the Roman Empire. He spoke about the great emperors of that time and how they too had "both good and awful leaders."
He then gave a brief description about the life of a biographer and explained that a biographer must commit themselves to the character and research everything there is to know "about each individual emperor."
As an interpreter and researcher, he devotes his time to learning about "the man or woman's unique life" from childhood to death.
"I'm interested in how he or she became that person and what he or she has accomplished," he said.
The biography he is currently working on, Twelve American Caesars, tells the story of twelve presidents from Franklin D. Roosevelt to George W. Bush.
"When I was asked to write a biography of the last twelve presidents, I felt a mixture of trepidation and excitement," he explained. This was Hamilton's chance to research the past and suggest a change for the future. His book is his way of sending a message to the '13th president'.
During the lecture, Hamilton read excerpts from the book and prefaced the audience with background on each of the presidents he discussed.
He explained that his mission is to find out about their personalities; the person "behind the mask."
Hamilton said a few questions he asks himself when writing a biography are: Where did he or she grow up? How did they get elected? What was going on in these presidents' minds during their term they served?
Hamilton intrigued the audience with his opinions about the 2008 Presidential Elections.
He described a president's term as a learning experience.
"No one is ready on day one," he said. "They must take it one day at a time."
He also noted that many presidents had too much "hubris," but no president is perfect and that is why they are joined by the two other branches of government to assist them in their term.
The lecture was held in the Rooftop Ballroom at the Omni Parker House. A wide range of Hamilton's admirers attended the speech, from young professionals and Beacon Hill residents to Suffolk University students and faculty.
The Coward lecture was established in 1997 by Derek W. F. Coward, an associate professor of marketing for the Sawyer Business School.
Before Hamilton spoke about his recent piece, Twelve American Ceasars-And What the Next President Can Learn from Them, he started his lecture by reminding the audience of the Roman Empire. He spoke about the great emperors of that time and how they too had "both good and awful leaders."
He then gave a brief description about the life of a biographer and explained that a biographer must commit themselves to the character and research everything there is to know "about each individual emperor."
As an interpreter and researcher, he devotes his time to learning about "the man or woman's unique life" from childhood to death.
"I'm interested in how he or she became that person and what he or she has accomplished," he said.
The biography he is currently working on, Twelve American Caesars, tells the story of twelve presidents from Franklin D. Roosevelt to George W. Bush.
"When I was asked to write a biography of the last twelve presidents, I felt a mixture of trepidation and excitement," he explained. This was Hamilton's chance to research the past and suggest a change for the future. His book is his way of sending a message to the '13th president'.
During the lecture, Hamilton read excerpts from the book and prefaced the audience with background on each of the presidents he discussed.
He explained that his mission is to find out about their personalities; the person "behind the mask."
Hamilton said a few questions he asks himself when writing a biography are: Where did he or she grow up? How did they get elected? What was going on in these presidents' minds during their term they served?
Hamilton intrigued the audience with his opinions about the 2008 Presidential Elections.
He described a president's term as a learning experience.
"No one is ready on day one," he said. "They must take it one day at a time."
He also noted that many presidents had too much "hubris," but no president is perfect and that is why they are joined by the two other branches of government to assist them in their term.
The lecture was held in the Rooftop Ballroom at the Omni Parker House. A wide range of Hamilton's admirers attended the speech, from young professionals and Beacon Hill residents to Suffolk University students and faculty.
Be the first to comment on this story