Speaker Paints Complex, Relevant Portrait of Thomas Jefferson
Michael Beran '84, P'20, '23 delivered a talk to all United States History students on October 7 entitled, "Thomas Jefferson, the Civic Humanist Tradition, and Groton School." Mr. Beran is the author of Jefferson's Demons: Portrait of a Restless Mind (2003), a study of Jefferson's lifelong battle with depression.
While the author began by briefly acknowledging the historiography of Jefferson and its modern controversies, he focused on a less understood and appreciated aspect of Jefferson—Jefferson's vision of an educated, enlightened community.
Mr. Beran explained the influence on Jefferson of both Greco-Roman notions of stoicism and learning and eighteenth-century ideas of modernity and progress. He emphasized the parallels between Jefferson's vision for the University of Virginia and Endicott Peabody's vision for Groton School. Both, Mr. Beran argued, sought to develop well-rounded young men who would use the wide range of their experiences to enrich society and lead others. He quoted acclaimed American historian Richard Hofstadter, who in an essay about Franklin Roopsevelt described Groton School as "a little Greek democracy."
Mr. Beran applauded Groton School's continued attachment to the traditional notion of well-rounded, civic minded, and engaged individuals; he also praised the school's expansion of that vision to include students previously excluded from Groton.
While the author began by briefly acknowledging the historiography of Jefferson and its modern controversies, he focused on a less understood and appreciated aspect of Jefferson—Jefferson's vision of an educated, enlightened community.
Mr. Beran explained the influence on Jefferson of both Greco-Roman notions of stoicism and learning and eighteenth-century ideas of modernity and progress. He emphasized the parallels between Jefferson's vision for the University of Virginia and Endicott Peabody's vision for Groton School. Both, Mr. Beran argued, sought to develop well-rounded young men who would use the wide range of their experiences to enrich society and lead others. He quoted acclaimed American historian Richard Hofstadter, who in an essay about Franklin Roopsevelt described Groton School as "a little Greek democracy."
Mr. Beran applauded Groton School's continued attachment to the traditional notion of well-rounded, civic minded, and engaged individuals; he also praised the school's expansion of that vision to include students previously excluded from Groton.
After the talk, students expressed gratitude to the speaker for describing a Thomas Jefferson that was far more complete and relevant than the one typically depicted in their textbook, and many remarked that Mr. Beran was extremely eloquent and knowledgeable.—Tommy Lamont, history faculty
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