In 1944, Kirk published his third academic article, a beautifully transcribed and edited Civil War journal. While the soldier's experiences in the civil conflict are fascinating, more so is Kirk's summation, quoted below. It's worth remembering, Kirk had already spent two years as a conscript in the U.S. Army at the time this edited diary [...]
Kirk wrote the following piece while an undergraduate at Michigan State College. His second published academic article, he considered it his first foray into political analysis. As with much of what Kirk wrote, though, it is really a literary analysis of several figures during the New Deal who claimed the mantle of Jeffersonianism. Kirk argued [...]
Below are quotes from Russell Kirk’s first published academic article, “Tragedy and the Moderns.” The article appeared in January 1940, when Kirk was just beginning his second semester of his senior year in college. He wrote it, however, during either his freshman or sophomore year at Michigan State, under and with the encouragement of his [...]
An excellent lecture by Dr. Brad Birzer on "Charles Carroll: American Cicero." All patriots should know about Carroll's role in the establishment of the American Republic. We hope you will join us in The Imaginative Conservative community. The Imaginative Conservative is an on-line journal for those who seek the True, the Good and the Beautiful. We [...]
As I’m thinking about the various influences on Kirk (and, hence, the post-WWII American Right), I started thinking about the Southern Agrarians as well as the English Distributists. There are many who write for this blog who know far more about these groups than I do. But, from what I can tell, this American version [...]
August 17, 2011 Dear Representative Tim Walberg, One of my heroes, Michigander Russell Kirk, once noted that the professor plays the fool when he enters into politics. This might very well be the case with this letter. I teach history (American Revolution through American Civil War) at a small liberal arts college in your district. [...]
Another great lecture by Dr. Bradley J. Birzer: "Jacksonian America and the Rise of Democracy." Books mentioned in Dr. Birzer's lecture may be found in The Imaginative Conservative Bookstore. We hope you will join us in The Imaginative Conservative community. The Imaginative Conservativeis an on-line journal for those who seek the True, the Good and the Beautiful. We address culture, [...]
Winston Elliott, III As many of you might very well know, today is the birthday of The Imaginative Conservative founder and editor, Winston Elliott III. I’ve had the privilege of knowing Winston for almost two decades now. Winston is a man of tenacious intellect and relentless integrity. There are also few men living [...]
Another excellent lecture by Dr. Bradley J. Birzer: “The Meaning of Liberty During the American Founding.” Books discussed in Dr. Birzer’s lecture may be found in The Imaginative Conservative Bookstore. […]
Great lecture: One Nation under Bigger Government—The Civil War as delivered by our own Bradley J. Birzer. Watch and learn. Books on the topic discussed in Dr. Birzer’s lecture may be found in The Imaginative Conservative Bookstore. […]
On the Feast of St Dominic, a beautiful, unique, and never to be seen again Rose faded from this earth. St. Dominic, pray for our Rose. But, I. . . . I am blessed. I beheld her twilight radiance for a bit. I cradle her gently for a bit. Even with all the voices of [...]
Obligatory Navel-Gazing This summer, I’ve spent far more time with self-professed libertarians than I have with self-professed conservatives. Usually, it’s about 50-50, but this summer has been much more like 70-30. I’ve especially been influenced–directly and in person–by fine folks such as Larry Reed, Jim Otteson, Ed Lopez, Carl Oberg, and Ben Stafford. The former [...]
Please note: this is a personal religious observation, not a Kirkian-type comment on our culture, politics, or economics. Instead, it is a reflection on Isaiah 55:6, “Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.” If you’re not a Catholic, you might find this somewhat—if not patently—absurd. If, [...]
In 1787, the U.S Congress unanimously passed the most republican law in Western history—the Northwest Ordinance, in which Americans argued that real sovereignty resides in the individual human person in association. On this day in 1787, the Congress of the United States unanimously passed what my colleague, friend, and mentor John Willson has called the [...]