New Books Network Jonathan White and Lucas Morel, "Measuring the Man: The Writings of Frederick Douglass on Abraham Lincoln" (Reedy Press, 2025)
Sep 20, 2025
Jonathan W. White, a Professor of American Studies, joins to discuss his collaboration with Lucas Morel on uncovering Frederick Douglass’s writings about Abraham Lincoln. The two reveal new documents that highlight Douglass's complex feelings towards Lincoln, from skepticism to admiration. White shares insights on how these writings reflect pivotal moments in history and the impact of their relationship. The conversation emphasizes critical lessons on civic engagement and the enduring relevance of Douglass’s reflections on Lincoln’s legacy.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Project Grew With New Discoveries
- Jonathan White and Lucas Morel expanded a short project into a comprehensive book after uncovering a dozen unseen Douglass documents.
- The discoveries reframed Douglass's evolving assessment of Lincoln across the Civil War years.
Hunting British Papers Paid Off
- White used digitized British newspapers and spent $400 to have microfilm digitized to recover lost Douglass letters.
- Those efforts revealed nine new letters plus additional documents that transformed the project.
Douglass's Candid British Correspondence
- Douglass wrote more candidly to British audiences than to American ones, revealing fears and strategic concerns.
- He admitted he did not want the war to end prematurely because the Union army protected newly gained freedoms.
