Harrison Podcast

We explore the life and legacy of Martin Van Buren, eighth president of the United States. From his beginnings in Kinderhook, NY to his rise to the highest office in the land and later pursuit to return to the presidency, Van Buren’s is a story that spans the antebellum period and leaves us much to … Continue reading 008 – Martin Van Ruin, er Buren →

This week’s episode is devoted to answering questions from listeners. Topics range from Harrison’s health to the historical role of the vice presidency to Harrison’s relationship with Henry Clay to the speed of information in the pre-telegraph age. Sources used for this episode can be found at http://whhpodcast.blubrry.com.

A government on the brink of disaster, a nation facing financial ruin and social strife, and even a guest appearance from everyone’s favorite Founding Father with his own musical. The Jacksonian finance system may not be the first subject that one would think of for an interesting episode, but there was more going on than … Continue reading 006 – Panics, Specie, and Divorce, Oh My! The Jacksonian Finance System →

As I’m planning an episode devoted to answering listener questions for release on Sunday, September 4th, 2016, I’m inviting anyone with questions to submit them either via email at harrisonpodcast@gmail.com, through the new Harrison Podcast Facebook page, or as a comment on the blog. Be sure to get in your questions by next Wednesday, August … Continue reading Request for Listener Questions →

Corruption, political back-scratching, embezzlement of funds. No, this isn’t a ‘ripped from the headlines’ discussion. This week’s episode takes a look at the evolution of the spoils system in the US up to Harrison’s administration in 1841 including the largest theft of public funds in the antebellum period. We’ll explore how the Postmaster General position became … Continue reading 005 – To the Victor Go the Spoils: The Antebellum Spoils System →

Silk ribbon for Harrison Rally, courtesy of Wikipedia Silk ribbon from the Democratic National Convention in Baltimore, MD, courtesy of Wikipedia This week’s episode provides a general overview of party politics leading up to 1840. While different in many respects from our modern politics, there are some commonalities that listeners in 2016 will pick up on. The … Continue reading 004 – It’s My Party and I’ll Sing If I Want To: Party Politics in 1840 →

This episode is dedicated to the memory of my grandmother, a member of another generation that is passing on. As the idea of legacy is key to understanding William Henry Harrison and his time, in this episode, I examine how the revolutionary generation was considered by folks in 1840 – what they made of their legacy … Continue reading 003 – The Revolutionary Generation in 1840 →

In this episode, I take a look at John Tyler, the Virginian who served as Harrison’s running mate and vice-president before assuming the presidency, as well as antebellum Virginia leading up to Harrison’s presidency in 1841. If you have questions, comments, suggestions, please feel free to contact me at harrisonpodcast@gmail.com or comment below. Sources used … Continue reading 002 – John Tyler and the Virginians →

For the inaugural episode of my podcast, I explain my intentions with this podcast as well as how it fits into my overall research project before discussing the concept of legacy, what it meant to Gen. Harrison, and how it fit into the context of his time. If you have questions, comments, suggestions, please feel free … Continue reading 001 – Introduction →