Marti Londal: Historian/Speaker

Available for in-person and virtual talks. To book a speaking appearance, please message on this page or email [email protected].

Spotted: Hamilton projected on the side of the Washington Monument during the Freedom 250 projection show to celebrate America's 250th birthday!

Happy birthday* to Alexander Hamilton! Throwback to when I got to visit the island of Nevis where he was born to unveil this statue with The Alexander Hamilton Awareness Society.

*It is most likely not his actual birthday, but he celebrated it January 11th, so I will too!

Register now for my virtual talk with the Vernon Area Public Library!

Hamilton: The Man vs. The Musical (Online) | Vernon Area Public Library Many are familiar with Alexander Hamilton from the hit musical, but how much was true about the actual man?

See? She exchanged flirty letters with lots of men at the time. Not just Hamilton!

Ever had a crush on someone who was… just not that into you? Thomas Jefferson appears to have had just such a crush on Alexander Hamilton’s sister-in-law, Angelica Schuyler Church.

Jefferson and Church met in Paris in 1787 while Jefferson was serving as Minister France, and they became friends, exchanging letters frequently. Jefferson’s letters got pretty flirty— one letter read ““I think I have discovered a method of preventing this dejection of mind on any future parting. It is this, When you come again I will employ myself solely in finding or fancying that you have some faults & I will draw a veil over all your good qualities, if I can find one large enough.” Love-bombing like this was typical in letters of the time, but Jefferson took it further.

in 1788, Jefferson suggested that Angelica visit him at Monticello, where they could visit Virginia’s Natural Bridge. Jefferson also suggested that they could take a trip together to Niagara Falls. Describing their possible sleeping arrangements, Jefferson stated “You shall find in me all the spirit of accommodation with which Yorick began his with the fair Piedmontese” a reference to a suggestive scene in a popular novel where a character must spend the night in a room with a woman and her chamber maid.

Jefferson and Angelica continued to exchange letters, and Jefferson continued to suggest they get together. In 1793 he again expressed hope that Angelica visit him: “I often put the question Whether yourself and Kitty will ever come to see your friends at Monticello? But it is my affection, and not my experience of things, which has leave to answer. And I am determined to believe the answer; because, in that belief, I find I sleep sounder and wake more cheerful”. And yet again in 1797, on hearing that Angelica had recently arrived back in the United States: “Tho’ you have taken so great a step, there is still a wide space between us. I shall entertain the hope that we may meet at this place, as on a middle ground. Perhaps you may find it not unpleasant in winter to get this much nearer the sun”.

Alas for Jefferson, each invitation ended up with Angelica leaving him on read.

Happy birthday* to Alexander Hamilton!

*most likely not his actual birthday, but he celebrated it January 11th, so I will too!

in 1854, Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton, the best of wives and best of women, passed away.

Eliza, or Betsey, lived to the age of 97. She was the wife of a founding father, mother to eight children, co-founder of the New York Orphan Asylum Society, steward to her late husband’s memory and accomplishments, and owner of The Grange for nearly three decades.

Eliza’s story touches many. Her fortitude in the face of intense personal tragedy following the infamous duel of 1804 is humbling to many.

What accomplishment of Eliza's stands out to you?

Photos:
Eliza Hamilton by Ralph Earl, 1787
and Eliza Hamilton sketch by Martin, 1851

“'Cause you got that Patriot daydream look in your eye
And I got that powdered French hair thing that you like”

🎶 we never go out of style 🎶

Had a nice Hamiltonian dinner in DC last week while biographer Michael E. Newton was in town! It was fun to discuss Hamilton’s parentage, the picnic at Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park, and the future of Hamilton research.

Chicagoland Friends -- I'll be speaking virtually Monday at 7pm CT with the Wilmette Public Library! Register here to join my talk:

Hamilton: The Man vs. The Musical (Virtual) With the show returning to Chicago, examine some myths from the musical and go beyond the lyrics to learn more about the ten-dollar founding father, Alexander Hamilton.

Thanks to the Baldwin Public Library for having me come chat about Hamilton tonight!