Episode 40: Adams or the Dog – Special Guest Edward J. Larson

October 6, 2021

Professor Edward J. Larson, Akhil’s co-teacher this semester for one of his Yale Law courses, joins us for a wide ranging discussion from science and religion at the founding to the fascinating partnership of George Washington and Benjamin Franklin.

The academic year is underway, and Professor Amar’s crazy teaching schedule, as usual, includes co-teaching with some of the greatest constitutional scholars in the nation.  This semester Akhil is joined by Professor Edward Larson, whose amazingly wide range includes a PhD in History of Science in addition to his Harvard Law degree. So it is not surprising that as Professor Larson joins us for this episode, our discussion of George Washington ventures into GW the scientist.  And speaking of scientists, Ed Larson also wrote a book on GW and Benjamin Franklin – was this an odd couple as it might first seem?  We also take another shot at the James Madison vs. GW question while we’re at it.  Oh, and religion shows up as well.

Show Notes:

The Return of George Washington - amazon.com page

Amazon.com listing, and access to an excerpt, for The Return of George Washington: Uniting the States, 1783-89.  Professors Amar and Larson discuss this important book, which gives us a fascinating, revealing look at George Washington during the Critical Period between the Revolution and the Constitution.

Link to amazon page and excerpt

Franklin & Washington - amazon.com page

Franklin & Washington: The Founding Partnership, as listed on amazon.com, including access to an excerpt.  This 2020 book, discussed in this week’s podcast, portrays the a crucial pairing from the Founding which none of us think of when asked about the great duos of this era.  Professor Larson gives us crucial insights in the podcast which are elaborated further in this work.

Link to amazon.com page and excerpt