Media Advisory: <em>Lincoln the Inventor</em> book signing

WHAT: Lincoln the Inventor book signing
WHEN: Sunday, February 8, 2009; 1:00 to 3:00 PM
WHERE: National Museum of American History Kenneth E. Behring Center
14th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W.
WHO: Jason Emerson

The Smithsonian Institution will host Jason Emerson for a book signing event on Sunday, February 8 at the National Museum of American History Kenneth E. Behring Center from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. Emerson will be signing his latest book, Lincoln the Inventor.

In Lincoln the Inventor, Emerson offers the first treatment of Abraham Lincoln’s invention of a device to buoy vessels over shoals and its subsequent patent as more than mere historical footnote.

In this book, Emerson shows how, when, where, and why Lincoln created his invention; how his penchant for inventions and inventiveness was part of his larger political belief in internal improvements and free labor principles; how his interest in the topic led him to try his hand at scholarly lecturing; and how Lincoln, as president, encouraged and even contributed to the creation of new weapons for the Union during the Civil War.

Jason Emerson is an independent historian and freelance writer living in Cazenovia, NY.

He has published numerous articles and book reviews in both scholarly and popular publications, links to some of which can be found on this page.

He has worked as a National Park Service park ranger at the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, Gettysburg National Military Park, and the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (the Arch) in St. Louis; a costumed interpreter at the Genesee Country Museum in Mumford, NY, a professional journalist, a newsletter publisher, and a freelance writer.

The Museum collects and preserves more than 3 million artifacts—all true national treasures, ranging from the original Star-Spangled Banner and Abraham Lincoln’s top hat to Dizzy Gillespie’s angled trumpet and Dorothy’s ruby slippers from “The Wizard of Oz.” Museum hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. Admission is free. Smithsonian Information: (202) 633-1000 or TTY (202) 633-5285. Web site: americanhistory.si.edu
ContactJoyce Burns
(202) 633-5949