Whenever you think of Lincoln as a historian, in his own mind, he becomes the Great Emancipator. This is his role in history henceforth. He was an ambitious man who wanted to make an impact on history, and this is… — Eric Foner Copy Share Image
“Successful teaching rests both on a genuine and selfless concern for students and on the ability to convey to them a love of history.” — Eric Foner Copy Share
A man working for wages his whole life is not really free. That is why Jefferson said, you have to own land. Southerners said,… — Eric Foner Copy Share
There are those who view the abolitionists as just maniacs, apolitical fanatics who helped to cause the war, and Lincoln is the model of… — Eric Foner Copy Share
“New laws also redefined in the interest of the planter the terms of credit and the right to property—the essence of economic power in… — Eric Foner Copy Share
Colonization was the idea that once slavery ended African-Americans should be encouraged - or required, in some people's view - required to leave the… — Eric Foner Copy Share
I don't [even] know the number of books on Abraham Lincoln. Ten thousand, twelve thousand? I have seen various numbers. It seems like every… — Eric Foner Copy Share
“Ironically, as Illinois Sen. Richard Yates pointed out, opponents of expansionism employed arguments extremely reminiscent of proslavery ideology, while its supporters upheld the principle… — Eric Foner Copy Share
Whatever Lincoln's racial views, which are not totally modern and egalitarian in many ways, he believes blacks should have this natural right to improve… — Eric Foner Copy Share
“It is a well known fact that Abraham Lincoln spent much of his spare time visiting wounded soldiers in Union Army hospitals. I've spent… — Eric Foner Copy Share
“Republicans, white and black, heaped scorn upon “respectables” who did not participate directly in the violence but “could not stop their sons from murdering… — Eric Foner Copy Share
Look, Mrs. McGillicuddy, it's not my fault your son jumped out a dorm room window on Christmas eve. I've written over fifty books as… — Eric Foner Copy Share
Who owns history? Everyone and no one--which is why the study of the past is a constantly evolving, never-ending journey of discovery. — Eric Foner Copy Share
For historians, hindsight can be a treacherous ally. Enabling us to trace the hidden patterns of past events, it beguiles us with the mirage… — Eric Foner Copy Share
In a democratic society, as Max Weber said, what is possible is only possible because some people have demanded the impossible. The abolitionists helped… — Eric Foner Copy Share
I admire Lincoln enormously and I think what's interesting about Lincoln is how he changes, it's not that he held the same view throughout… — Eric Foner Copy Share
