Episode 24: They Are Small Colleges

June 23, 2021

The colleges of the Founding era were few in number but outsize in importance both then and now; Andy and Akhil discuss greats, familiar and otherwise, from Webster to Wood.

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Akhil and Andy continue their tour of the 9 established colleges at the Founding, 7 were in the Ivy League, so the Ancient Eight will inevitably stand out in our survey – but they are not alone, as we discuss. Still it is remarkable that such a tiny portion of the population yielded so many familiar names.  Latter-day scholars from these institutions still loom large as well, from Daniel Webster and Charles Beard to Gordon Wood and Maggie Blackhawk – giants all.  And learn about one of the greats that you may not know well – Douglas Adair.

Show Notes:

America's Constitution, A Biography; Chapter 1

America’s Constitution: A Biography, amazon.com page.  The “Look Inside” feature, linked below, accesses Chapter 1 which contains Professor Amar’s refutation of Charles Beard’s argument, discussed in the podcast.  Also see next entry below for important endnotes providing evidence counter Beard.

amazon.com look inside link for first pages and Chapter 1

Endnotes providing evidence counter Charles Beard

The endnotes referenced above, providing evidence in support of Professor Amar’s argument refuting Charles Beard.

Read and/or Download

Excerpt from Good Will Hunting on Gordon Wood et al

Re-creation of Dartmouth College v. Woodward, with Neal Katyal presenting Daniel Webster’s argument