David J. Kent's Blog, page 17

Abraham Lincoln Accuses Russia of Pure Despotism

Abraham Lincoln accused Russia of being a place “where despotism can be taken pure,” openly dedicated to the exercise of absolute power and cruelly oppressive. Long before the Russian Revolution in 1917 and the Soviet era, the Russia of Lincoln’s time had been ruled over by Tsar Nicholas I for... Continue reading

Lincoln and the Coal Mining Charter

On February 15, 1853, Abraham Lincoln wrote to John A. Rockwell to inform him he had failed to secure a coal mining charter. Coal was becoming increasingly important to the modernization of America because it was replacing wood as fuel for steamships and railroads. Rockwell and his associates had set... Continue reading

The Time Abraham Lincoln Rejected Siamese Elephants in Favor of Steam

Abraham Lincoln rejects gift of elephants from Siam by pointing out the advantages of steam power. Lincoln would promote many scientific and technological improvements in his lifetime and his presidency. On February 3, 1862, President Lincoln writes to the King of Siam declining the King’s offer of “a stock from... Continue reading

Journalist Sidney Blumenthal Pens Foreword for “Lincoln: The Fire of Genius”

As mentioned last time, Lincoln: The Fire of Genius is now open for pre-order on Amazon. I’m honored that journalist Sidney Blumenthal penned the Foreword for the book. Blumenthal is arguably one of the most astute political observers in the nation. He is also a highly regarded (and highly successful)... Continue reading

Lincoln: The Fire of Genius, Available for Pre-Order

Lincoln: The Fire of Genius is now available for pre-order on Amazon. My forthcoming book has a cover design, a pre-order form on Amazon, a “want to read” listing on Goodreads, and a scheduled release date. The full title is Lincoln: The Fire of Genius: How Abraham Lincoln’s Commitment to... Continue reading

The Year in a Writer’s Life – 2021

The year in a writer’s life actually went much more to plan than the year in science traveling and even the year of reading time. On New Year’s Eve I had signed a contract with Rowman and Littlefield to publish my long-researched book on Lincoln’s interest in science. The deadline... Continue reading

The Year in Science Traveling -2021

Last year I started off my annual science traveling post with “Well, this shouldn’t take long.” Despite expectations, I could have started my 2021 post with: “Ditto.” My year in traveling looks like my previous year’s “goals” list; just change the date and carry over everything to this year. Now... Continue reading

Abraham Lincoln Book Acquisitions for 2021

The biggest feature of my Abraham Lincoln book acquisitions for 2021 is that most of the books I acquired aren’t even mine. As usual, I begin my annual “Year in the Life” posts with my Lincoln book collection. You can read last year’s post here. My shelves are getting fuller,... Continue reading

Lincoln the Philanthropist

Few people know that Abraham Lincoln was also a philanthropist. We remember him for saving the union and the Emancipation Proclamation, but he also was a big donator to charity. On December 17, 1863, he sent a letter thanking the Sanitary Commission of Chicago for a watch that was sent... Continue reading

Lincoln and John Dahlgren, Weapons Guy

Lincoln liked John A. Dahlgren, his weapons guy, of sorts. On December 8, 1862, Lincoln sent a telegram to the Washington Navy Yard with the succinct request: “Will Capt. Dahlgren please call and see me at once?” What they discussed on that particular occasion is unknown, but Lincoln often conferred... Continue reading