Most people know him for the Alaska purchase known as “Seward's Folly.”
But there was a lot more to William H. Seward, Class of 1820. Largely unrecognized are his position as Lincoln's “Right Hand” as secretary of state, his distinguished political career as governor of New York, his bold efforts in education and prison reform, his fight for the rights of immigrants and the insane, and his unwavering fight against slavery.
This week, Mandeville Gallery opens “All the Good I Can: A Portrait of William Henry Seward,” an exhibit of more than 80 items – writings, prints, speeches, photos, and other artifacts. It runs through Dec. 23.
Among the exhibition items are the 13-inch Bowie knife used in an assassination attempt on Seward, speeches including his “Higher Law” speech against slavery, and original editions of newspapers detailing the Lincoln assassination and the attack on Seward.
The opening reception and symposium is set for Tuesday, Oct. 23, starting at 6 p.m. At 7:30 p.m., Prof. James Underwood will moderate a discussion titled “Idealism, Pragmatism and the Dilemmas of Leadership – a Symposium in Honor of William Henry Seward.” Panelists include Richard Norton Smith, an authority on the American presidency; William Galston, director of the Institute for Philosophy and Public Policy at the University of Maryland; and Robert Walker, executive director of the Educational Fund of Common Cause in Washington.
On Tuesday, Oct. 30, at 7:30 pm., John M. Taylor, author of the Seward biography William Henry Seward – Lincoln's Right Hand will speak on “William Henry Seward – Snapshots.”
On Wednesday, Nov. 7, at 7:30 p.m., Pauline Johnson, Harriet Tubman's great grandniece and Robert Seward, a Seward family historian, present “William Henry Seward and Harriet Tubman – ReUniting Two Visionaries.”
For more information on exhibit see Mandeville Gallery web site.