Author Interview: Jason Surrell and The Haunted Mansion

On May 28, in the year 585 BCE, there was a total solar eclipse during a battle between the kingdoms of Media and Lydia. This eclipse had been predicted by Thales of Miletus, and it led to the ends of both the battle and the war. Maybe.  Research: "Thales of Miletus." Math & Mathematicians: The History of Math Discoveries Around the World, edited by Leonard C. Bruno, UXL, 2008. Gale In Context: Science, link.gale.com/apps/doc/K1669000047/GPS?u=mlin_n_melpub&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=941ff118. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024. "Thales." Complete Dictionary of Scientific Biography, vol. 13, Charles Scribner's Sons, 2008, pp. 295-298. Gale In Context: U.S. History, link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX2830904273/GPS?u=mlin_n_melpub&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=78008eeb. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024. Airy, G. B. “On the Eclipses of Agathocles, Thales, and Xerxes.” Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, vol. 143, 1853, pp. 179–200. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/108561. Accessed 21 Mar. 2024. Batten, A. H. “The Saros Period and Halley's Comet.” Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, Vol.76, NO. 4, P. 258, 1982. https://adsabs.harvard.edu/full/1982JRASC..76..258B Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Thales of Miletus". Encyclopedia Britannica, 21 Dec. 2023, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Thales-of-Miletus. Accessed 20 March 2024. Cantor, Lea. “Thales – the ‘first philosopher’? A troubled chapter in the historiography of philosophy.” British Journal of the History of Philosophy. 2022, VOL. 30, NO. 5, 727–750. https://doi.org/10.1080/09608788.2022.2029347 Couprie, Dirk L. “How Thales Was Able to "Predict" a Solar Eclipse without the Help of Alleged Mesopotamian Wisdom.” Early Science and Medicine , 2004, Vol. 9, No. 4 (2004). https://www.jstor.org/stable/4130201 Downey, Ed. “Thales of Miletus.” Great Neck Publishing. 8/1/2017. Via EBSCO. Gershon, Livia. “How Astronomers Write History.” JSTOR Daily. 3/10/2024. https://daily.jstor.org/how-astronomers-write-history/ Leloux, Kevin. “The Battle of the Eclipse (May 28, 585 BC): A Discussion of the Lydo-Median Treaty and the Halys Border.” Polemos 19 (2016). https://hrcak.srce.hr/file/264738 Miguel Querejeta, ‘On the Eclipse of Thales, Cycles and Probabilities’, Culture And Cosmos, Vol. 15, no. 1, Spring/Summer 2011, pp. 5–16. www.CultureAndCosmos.org Mosshammer, Alden A. “Thales' Eclipse.” Transactions of the American Philological Association (1974-2014). 1981, Vol. 111 (1981). Via JSTOR. https://www.jstor.org/stable/284125 O’Grady, Patricia. “Thales of Miletus (c. 620 B.C.E.—c. 546 B.C.E.).” Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. https://iep.utm.edu/thales/ Redlin, Lothar et al. “Thales' Shadow.” Mathematics Magazine , Dec., 2000, Vol. 73, No. 5 (Dec., 2000). Via JSTOR. https://www.jstor.org/stable/2690810 Stanley, Matthew. “Predicting the Past: Ancient Eclipses and Airy, Newcomb, and Huxley on the Authority of Science.” Isis, vol. 103, no. 2, 2012, pp. 254–77. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.1086/666355. Accessed 21 Mar. 2024. Worthen, Thomas. “Herodotus’ Report on Thales’ Eclipse.” Vol. 3, No. 7. May 1997. https://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/ElAnt/V3N7/worthen.html See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

8 Apr 202438min

This 2019 episode covers Sylvia of Hollywood, famous in the 1920s and 1930s for shaping up starlets, cementing the idea that Hollywood's beauties were aspirational figures for the average woman. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

6 Apr 202437min

Holly reads Vinnie Ream's account of when she met Franz Liszt. Then discussion turns to Ream's friendships, her shopping habits, and why she lived in Rome instead of closer to Carrara. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

5 Apr 202419min

Part two of our episode on Vinnie Ream covers the completion of her first major work, and the rest of her life, which was just as controversial as her early adulthood.  Research: “Andrew Johnson and Reconstruction.” National Parks Service. https://www.nps.gov/anjo/andrew-johnson-and-reconstruction.htm Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Vinnie Ream". Encyclopedia Britannica, 16 Nov. 2023, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Vinnie-Ream “The Case of Miss Vinnie Ream, The Latest National Disgrace.” The Daily Phoenix. June 12, 1868. https://www.newspapers.com/image/72225424/?terms=%22vinnie%20ream%22%20&match=1 “Clark Mills and the Jackson Equestrian Statue (1853–1856).” The Historic New Orleans Collection. https://www.hnoc.org/virtual/andrew-jackson/clark-mills-and-jackson-equestrian-statue-1853%E2%80%931856 Cooper, Edward S. “Vinnie Ream, a American Sculptor.” Academy Chicago Publishers. 2004. “Curious Developments in the House.” The Abingdon Virginian. June 5, 1868. https://www.newspapers.com/image/584634251/?terms=%22vinnie%20ream%22%20&match=1 “The Farragut Statue.” The Portland Daily Press. April 26, 1881. https://www.newspapers.com/image/875207459/?terms=%22Vinnie%20Ream%22%20&match=1 Fling, Sarah. “Philip Reed Enslaved Artisan in the President's Neighborhood.” White House Historical Association. Dec, 8, 2020. https://www.whitehousehistory.org/philip-reed Healy, George Peter Alexander. “Vinnie Ream.” Smithsonian American Art Museum. https://americanart.si.edu/artwork/vinnie-ream-10167 “A Homely Woman’s Opinion of a Pretty One.” Leavenworth Times. Sept. 6, 1866. https://www.newspapers.com/image/380121072/?terms=vinnie%20ream&match=1 “Impeachment Trial of President Andrew Johnson, 1868.” United States Senate. https://www.senate.gov/about/powers-procedures/impeachment/impeachment-johnson.htm “The Lincoln Statue.” Chicago Tribune. Aug. 21, 1866. https://www.newspapers.com/image/349536265/?terms=%22vinnie%20ream%22%20&match=1 “Miss Ream’s Statue.” The Delaware Gazette. Feb. 17, 1871. https://www.newspapers.com/image/329775503/?terms=%22Vinnie%20Ream%22%20&match=1 “Sequoyah Statue.” Architect of the Capitol. https://www.aoc.gov/explore-capitol-campus/art/sequoyah-statue Sherwood, Glenn V. “Labor of Love.” Sunshine Press Publications. 1997. “Who is Miss Vinnie Ream?” The Hartford Courant. Aug. 7, 1866. https://www.newspapers.com/image/369077872/?terms=vinnie%20ream&match=1 “Vinnie Ream.” Architect of the Capitol. https://www.aoc.gov/explore-capitol-campus/art/vinnie-ream “Vinnie Ream.” The Hancock Courier. Feb. 4, 1869. https://www.newspapers.com/image/665444405/?terms=%22vinnie%20ream%22%20&match=1 “Vinnie Ream.” The Portland Daily Press. Aug. 15, 1866. https://www.newspapers.com/image/875123827/?terms=%22vinnie%20ream%22%20&match=1 “Vinnie Ream, the Sculptress.” Times Union. May 16, 1871. https://www.newspapers.com/image/556158224/?terms=%22Vinnie%20Ream%22%20&match=1 “Vinnie Ream’s Statue of Lincoln.” The Daily Kansas Tribune. June 11, 1869. https://www.newspapers.com/image/60526282/?terms=%22vinnie%20ream%22%20&match=1 “Vinnie Ream: The Truth of the Romance.” Kansas City Weekly Journal. Feb. 24, 1871. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1025356568/?terms=%22Vinnie%20Ream%22%20&match=1 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

3 Apr 202433min

Vinnie Ream became the first woman to be given an art commission by the U.S. Government when she was still a teenager. Part one covers the controversy that arose as she lobbied for that job. Research: “Andrew Johnson and Reconstruction.” National Parks Service. https://www.nps.gov/anjo/andrew-johnson-and-reconstruction.htm Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Vinnie Ream". Encyclopedia Britannica, 16 Nov. 2023, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Vinnie-Ream “The Case of Miss Vinnie Ream, The Latest National Disgrace.” The Daily Phoenix. June 12, 1868. https://www.newspapers.com/image/72225424/?terms=%22vinnie%20ream%22%20&match=1 “Clark Mills and the Jackson Equestrian Statue (1853–1856).” The Historic New Orleans Collection. https://www.hnoc.org/virtual/andrew-jackson/clark-mills-and-jackson-equestrian-statue-1853%E2%80%931856 Cooper, Edward S. “Vinnie Ream, a American Sculptor.” Academy Chicago Publishers. 2004. “Curious Developments in the House.” The Abingdon Virginian. June 5, 1868. https://www.newspapers.com/image/584634251/?terms=%22vinnie%20ream%22%20&match=1 “The Farragut Statue.” The Portland Daily Press. April 26, 1881. https://www.newspapers.com/image/875207459/?terms=%22Vinnie%20Ream%22%20&match=1 Fling, Sarah. “Philip Reed Enslaved Artisan in the President's Neighborhood.” White House Historical Association. Dec, 8, 2020. https://www.whitehousehistory.org/philip-reed Healy, George Peter Alexander. “Vinnie Ream.” Smithsonian American Art Museum. https://americanart.si.edu/artwork/vinnie-ream-10167 “A Homely Woman’s Opinion of a Pretty One.” Leavenworth Times. Sept. 6, 1866. https://www.newspapers.com/image/380121072/?terms=vinnie%20ream&match=1 “Impeachment Trial of President Andrew Johnson, 1868.” United States Senate. https://www.senate.gov/about/powers-procedures/impeachment/impeachment-johnson.htm “The Lincoln Statue.” Chicago Tribune. Aug. 21, 1866. https://www.newspapers.com/image/349536265/?terms=%22vinnie%20ream%22%20&match=1 “Miss Ream’s Statue.” The Delaware Gazette. Feb. 17, 1871. https://www.newspapers.com/image/329775503/?terms=%22Vinnie%20Ream%22%20&match=1 “Sequoyah Statue.” Architect of the Capitol. https://www.aoc.gov/explore-capitol-campus/art/sequoyah-statue Sherwood, Glenn V. “Labor of Love.” Sunshine Press Publications. 1997. “Who is Miss Vinnie Ream?” The Hartford Courant. Aug. 7, 1866. https://www.newspapers.com/image/369077872/?terms=vinnie%20ream&match=1 “Vinnie Ream.” Architect of the Capitol. https://www.aoc.gov/explore-capitol-campus/art/vinnie-ream “Vinnie Ream.” The Hancock Courier. Feb. 4, 1869. https://www.newspapers.com/image/665444405/?terms=%22vinnie%20ream%22%20&match=1 “Vinnie Ream.” The Portland Daily Press. Aug. 15, 1866. https://www.newspapers.com/image/875123827/?terms=%22vinnie%20ream%22%20&match=1 “Vinnie Ream, the Sculptress.” Times Union. May 16, 1871. https://www.newspapers.com/image/556158224/?terms=%22Vinnie%20Ream%22%20&match=1 “Vinnie Ream’s Statue of Lincoln.” The Daily Kansas Tribune. June 11, 1869. https://www.newspapers.com/image/60526282/?terms=%22vinnie%20ream%22%20&match=1 “Vinnie Ream: The Truth of the Romance.” Kansas City Weekly Journal. Feb. 24, 1871. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1025356568/?terms=%22Vinnie%20Ream%22%20&match=1 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1 Apr 202440min

This 2014 episode covers the story of how in 1859, the United States and Great Britain nearly went to war over an American settler shooting a Canadian pig that was rooting around his garden. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

30 Mar 202424min

Holly and Tracy ponder why the wrong photo has become used so frequently in mentions of Margaret E. Knight. Tracy shares the reasons she almost didn't cover Henry Martyn Robert on the show. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

29 Mar 202425min

Henry Martyn Robert was connected to multiple historical events, but his most lasting legacy is the set of guidelines he created that offered a standardized way to run meetings. Research:  "Henry Martyn Robert." Encyclopedia of World Biography Online, vol. 21, Gale, 2001. Gale In Context: U.S. History, link.gale.com/apps/doc/K1631007677/GPS?u=mlin_n_melpub&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=a6a24976. Accessed 12 Mar. 2024. Doyle, Don H. “Rules of Order: Henry Martyn Robert and the Popularization of American Parliamentary Law.” American Quarterly , Spring, 1980, Vol. 32, No. 1 (Spring, 1980). https://www.jstor.org/stable/2712493 Fishman, Donald. “The Elusive Henry Martyn Robert: A Historical Problem.” National Parliamentarian. Second Quarter 2012. Hansen, Brett. “Weathering the Storm: the Galveston Seawall and Grade Raising.” Civil Engineering. April 2007. Hendricks, George Brian, "Rules of Order: A Biography of Henry Martyn Robert, Soldier, Engineer, Churchman, Parliamentarian" (1998). Legacy ETDs. 755. https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/etd_legacy/755 Kline, Charles R. “Robert, Henry Martyn.” Texas State Historical Association Handbook of Texas. 6/1/1995. https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/robert-henry-martyn , Ben and Clio Admin. "Henry Martyn Robert Historical Marker." Clio: Your Guide to History. January 18, 2023. Accessed March 13, 2024. https://theclio.com/entry/163000 National Park Service. “Henry Martyn Robert.” https://www.nps.gov/people/henry-martyn-robert.htm National Park Service. “The Redoubt.” https://www.nps.gov/sajh/planyourvisit/the-redoubt.htm Pillsbury, Avis Miller and Mildred E Hatch. “The genealogy of the First Baptist Church of New Bedford, Massachusetts.” Reynolds-DeWalt Printing, Inc. 1979. https://archive.org/details/genealogyoffirst00avis/ Robert, Henry M. “Robert’s Rules of Order for Deliberative Assemblies.” Chicago: S. C. Griggs & Company. 1876. https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/9097/pg9097-images.html Saunders, R. Frank, and George A. Rogers. “Joseph Thomas Robert and the Wages of Conscience.” The Georgia Historical Quarterly, vol. 88, no. 1, 2004, pp. 1–24. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/40584703. Accessed 14 Mar. 2024. Smedley, Ralph C. “The Great Peacemaker.” Toastmasters International. 1955, 1993. https://archive.org/details/greatpeacemaker0000ralp/ S. Army Corps of Engineers. “Historical Vignette 038 - An Army Engineer Brought Order to Church Meetings and Revolutionized Parliamentary Procedure.” 11/2001. https://www.usace.army.mil/About/History/Historical-Vignettes/General-History/038-Church-Meetings/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

27 Mar 202442min