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In honor of the 250th anniversary of American independence The American Library and Thetford Library present talks on Thomas PaineThetford born Thomas Paine (1737–1809) was a writer, philosopher, and Founding Father of the United States of America whose radical pamphlets ignited the American Revolution. In these talks offered by Dr Sam Edwards and Paine Scholar Leanne O'Boyle we explore his philosophies and his historical legacy
Dr Sam Edwards read for a PhD at Lancaster University before then winning a Fulbright Distinguished Scholar Award to conduct research at the University of Pittsburgh. On completion of this research (which led to the publication of his Gladstone Prize short-listed monograph, Allies in Memory ) Sam took up a lectureship at Manchester Metropolitan University. At Manchester Met, he discharged a number of substantive leadership roles including undergraduate programme leader, founding Director of the Manchester Centre for Public History and Heritage, Head of History, and, finally, Head of the Department of History, Politics and Philosophy. Sam joined Loughborough in May 2023. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
Sam is an experienced public historian with expertise on commemoration and heritage, transatlantic relations, film and TV history, and the history of running. He is Co-Editor of the British Journal for Military History ( British Journal for Military History (gold.ac.uk) ) and Vice-Chair of the Transatlantic Studies Association ( Transatlantic Studies Association ).
Sam has extensive experience working with the media and has provided expert commentary to BBC News, BBC Breakfast, BBC Radio, CNN, Sky News, France 24, and US Government TV. He has also written for various media outlets, including The Washington Post , The Independent , War on the Rocks , American Heritage , History and Policy , BBC Online Magazine , BBC History Extra , Military History Matters , Britain at War , and The Conversation . A keen runner - and a 'running historian' – Sam has also penned articles for Runner's World and Outdoor Fitness and he’s provided expert insights (on running culture) for The Economist and BBC Radio 4.
Beyond academia, Sam is a Trustee of Sulgrave Manor in Northamptonshire (ancestral home of George Washington), a Trustee of The D-Day Story (Portsmouth), and a Governor of The American Library in Norwich (a memorial established to the World War II Second Air Division, US 8th Army Air Force).
Founding Director of Thomas Paine: Legacy and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London, Leanne O'Boyle is a writer, lecturer, and experienced Director in the heritage sector. She is an Associate of the Society of Authors and holds an Elementary Pilot’s license in paragliding. Her book ‘Patriots, Radicals & Revolutionaries: the British role in American Independence’ is published by Pen & Sword.
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Event venue
Raymond Street,Thetford,IP24 2EA,GB, United Kingdom
Tickets
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.