September 1
to
November 22

2023

Quietly Shaping History: John Bigelow's Influence on 19th Century Politics

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This exhibit illustrates the extraordinary life of Union College alumnus John Bigelow (1817-1911, UC 1835) who played a pivotal role in shaping the Reconstruction Era, the Gilded Age, and the Progressive Era through his roles as an American author, diplomat, lawyer, philanthropist, and distinguished man of letters. Despite his remarkable contributions and impact on 19th-century world history, John Bigelow remains relatively unknown in popular historical narratives

Location:

This exhibit can be found in the Lally Reading Room, which is on the 1st floor of Schaffer Library, just behind the glass doors. 

Selected photos from the exhibition: 

Quietly Shaping History exhibit case 08

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Quietly Shaping History exhibit case 02

Quietly Shaping History exhibit case 01

Exhibit Acknowledgements / Grant Team:

In 2021, Schaffer Library was awarded a National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) grant from the National Archives to digitize the John Bigelow Collection. The grant project team consists of:

Special thanks to Schaffer Library College Librarian Frances Maloy, Cataloging and Digital Services Specialist Kate Grant, and Administrative Assistant/Office Manager Leslee Barkley for their help and assistance throughout the project.