Strategic Communications and Marketing News Bureau

Author of ‘Lincoln’s Body’ to speak Oct. 4, first in Illinois Bicentennial Lecture Series

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Abraham Lincoln’s ungainly looks, unusual height, his jokes about his appearance and his public accessibility – and the significance of all that in how he’s been viewed – will be the subject of an Oct. 4 lecture at the University of Illinois.

Richard Fox, a history professor at the University of Southern California, will speak on “Taking the Measure of Lincoln’s Body, in Death and Life” at 4 p.m. in the Knight Auditorium of Spurlock Museum, 600 S. Gregory St., Urbana.

The event is free and open to the public, the first of four in the Illinois Bicentennial Lecture Series.

Fox is the author of the 2015 book “Lincoln’s Body: A Cultural History.” He will discuss how Lincoln was known in his day as much for his physical frame as for his words, deeds and character – and how he knowingly used it. “His body added materially to his public reputation and his self-conception,” Fox said.

Lincoln also made his body accessible in ways that others saw as risky, Fox said. One notable example was his walk through the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia, just days after it was taken by Union forces – and only 10 days before his assassination.

Fox’s previous books include “Jesus in America: Personal Savior, Cultural Hero, National Obsession” and a biography of the influential theologian Reinhold Niebuhr.

Other upcoming lectures in the series:

The remaining lecture has yet to be announced.

The series is organized by the Center for Historical Interpretation in the department of history.

Editor’s notes: For additional information on speakers or the series, contact Robert Morrissey at 773-616-9292; email rmorriss@illinois.edu

Read Next

Health and medicine Dr. Timothy Fan, left, sits in a consulting room with the pet owner. Between them stands the dog, who is looking off toward Fan.

How are veterinarians advancing cancer research in dogs, people?

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — People are beginning to realize that dogs share a lot more with humans than just their homes and habits. Some spontaneously occurring cancers in dogs are genetically very similar to those in people and respond to treatment in similar ways. This means inventive new treatments in dogs, when effective, may also be […]

Honors From left, individuals awarded the 2025 Campus Awards for Excellence in Public Engagement are Antoinette Burton, director of the Humanities Research Institute; Ariana Mizan, undergraduate student in strategy, innovation and entrepreneurship; Lee Ragsdale, the reentry resource program director for the Education Justice Project; and Ananya Yammanuru, a graduate student in computer science. Photos provided.

Awards recognize excellence in public engagement

The 2025 Campus Awards for Excellence in Public Engagement were recently awarded to faculty, staff and community members who address critical societal issues.

Uncategorized Portrait of the researchers standing outside in front of a grove of trees.

Study links influenza A viral infection to microbiome, brain gene expression changes

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — In a study of newborn piglets, infection with influenza A was associated with disruptions in the piglets’ nasal and gut microbiomes and with potentially detrimental changes in gene activity in the hippocampus, a brain structure that plays a central role in learning and memory. Maternal vaccination against the virus during pregnancy appeared […]

Strategic Communications and Marketing News Bureau

507 E. Green St
MC-426
Champaign, IL 61820

Email: stratcom@illinois.edu

Phone (217) 333-5010