William Fowler Distinguished Professor of History w.fowler@neu.edu 617.373.5236 Expertise American colonial and revolutionary history, history of Boston and New England, maritime history William Fowler in the Press Boston Magazine Why Are There So Many Wild Turkeys on The Loose in Massachusetts? William Fowler, distinguished history professor emeritus at Northeastern University, tells me that Franklin liked to kid, and it’s not so much that he was lobbying for the turkey as he was mocking a French society that had an eagle as its emblem. The Columbus Day holiday is under attack, and so are statues honoring the famed explorer “They are two elements of America that have been romanticized and ingrained in our cultures over the years,” said William Fowler, a longtime professor of American history at Northeastern University in Boston. “Over time, the facts may not change but the way we interpret them certainly has.” National Post Beyond the duck: The man who saved slaves from George Washington to forge Canada’s legacy of human rights Given Carleton’s close connection to Canada, plus the fact that many of those former slaves ended up in Halifax, his bold defence of their human rights in the aftermath of war seems deserving of a far more prominent place in the Canadian pantheon. What respect he garners today, however, comes largely from the U.S. rather […] Boston Herald Flynn: Immigrants vital to Boston’s history It’s no secret that listening to lectures about the history of Boston is one of my favorite pastimes. That’s why it was such a treat to attend a recent lecture at the Massachusetts Historical Society in the Fenway led by Northeastern University Professor William M. Fowler, who detailed the courageous and challenging history of the […] The untold story of Boston’s iconic Citgo sign It became a near-instant — and unlikely — icon after it was switched on in December 1965, the enormous oil company logo glowing high above Kenmore Square. The Citgo sign, said to be the largest illuminated sign in New England at nearly 60 feet by 60 feet, has been called this city’s Big Ben or Eiffel Tower. Nationwide television […] Captain uncourageous: abandoning ship long seen as a crime Cowardice comes in many forms, but there’s a special sense of shame reserved for captains who abandon ship. South Korean authorities Capt. Lee Jun-Seok, who was one of the first to flee from the ferry as it sank on Wednesday. “I can’t lift my face before the passengers and family members of those missing,” Lee […] William Fowler for Northeastern Global News Historian reflects on anniversary of Pearl Harbor attack Historian reflects on anniversary of Pearl Harbor attack William Fowler, Distinguished Professor of History, recalled the attack from both a personal and historical perspective. His father, four uncles, and an aunt served in World War II, and “Pearl Harbor was a defining moment for them and for their generation.” Would Abraham Lincoln have voted for Trump or Clinton? Would Abraham Lincoln have voted for Trump or Clinton? To ease the tension of Election Day, we asked seven faculty members to participate a quirky thought experiment that challenged each of them to consider how one well known but long dead person in their respective fields would have voted in the 2016 presidential election. The responses were insightful, sobering, and occasionally hilarious. The House sit-in: examining the political and cultural significance The House sit-in: examining the political and cultural significance Wednesday morning House Democrats, led by U.S. Rep. John Lewis, began a sit-in on the House floor demanding votes on gun-control legislation. C-SPAN picked up the live feeds that members streamed from their smartphones after Republicans shut down the chamber. Here, Northeastern faculty members shed light on the significance of the protest and the role of social media in its impact. Take 5: Facts you may not know about ‘Old Ironsides’ Take 5: Facts you may not know about ‘Old Ironsides’ Undefeated, unmatched, and unforgettable, the USS Constitution, which is undergoing a two-year restoration, is the ultimate achievement of 18th century technology says Distinguished Professor of History William Fowler. 3Qs: The gift of history 3Qs: The gift of history Distinguished Professor William Fowler reflects on some of the most unusual gift exchanges between nations in modern history and how the symbolic practice has evolved. 3Qs: The origins of a sweet treat 3Qs: The origins of a sweet treat The whoopie pie — whipped cream or frosting sandwiched between twin chocolate cakes — has a glorious but muddled history as a favorite treat throughout the northeastern United States. Several regions claim to be the cookie’s birthplace, including Lewiston, Maine; Pennsylvania Dutch Country; and Roxbury, Mass. On Thursday night at The Berwick Cake Factory in […] 3Qs: Celebrating America’s independence 3Qs: Celebrating America’s independence William Fowler, Distinguished Professor of History, examines the intriguing history of the Declaration of Independence and the Fourth of July. Faculty Reads, Volume Six Faculty Reads, Volume Six In the sixth edition of recent faculty books, we highlight works about the American Revolution, the complexity of human-animal relationships, and the importance of cash flow to corporate decision-making. 3Qs: Reaping the whirlwind 3Qs: Reaping the whirlwind A Northeastern historian looks back at a bloodless battle that touched off America’s bloodiest war, 150 years ago today.
Boston Magazine Why Are There So Many Wild Turkeys on The Loose in Massachusetts? William Fowler, distinguished history professor emeritus at Northeastern University, tells me that Franklin liked to kid, and it’s not so much that he was lobbying for the turkey as he was mocking a French society that had an eagle as its emblem.
The Columbus Day holiday is under attack, and so are statues honoring the famed explorer “They are two elements of America that have been romanticized and ingrained in our cultures over the years,” said William Fowler, a longtime professor of American history at Northeastern University in Boston. “Over time, the facts may not change but the way we interpret them certainly has.”
National Post Beyond the duck: The man who saved slaves from George Washington to forge Canada’s legacy of human rights Given Carleton’s close connection to Canada, plus the fact that many of those former slaves ended up in Halifax, his bold defence of their human rights in the aftermath of war seems deserving of a far more prominent place in the Canadian pantheon. What respect he garners today, however, comes largely from the U.S. rather […]
Boston Herald Flynn: Immigrants vital to Boston’s history It’s no secret that listening to lectures about the history of Boston is one of my favorite pastimes. That’s why it was such a treat to attend a recent lecture at the Massachusetts Historical Society in the Fenway led by Northeastern University Professor William M. Fowler, who detailed the courageous and challenging history of the […]
The untold story of Boston’s iconic Citgo sign It became a near-instant — and unlikely — icon after it was switched on in December 1965, the enormous oil company logo glowing high above Kenmore Square. The Citgo sign, said to be the largest illuminated sign in New England at nearly 60 feet by 60 feet, has been called this city’s Big Ben or Eiffel Tower. Nationwide television […]
Captain uncourageous: abandoning ship long seen as a crime Cowardice comes in many forms, but there’s a special sense of shame reserved for captains who abandon ship. South Korean authorities Capt. Lee Jun-Seok, who was one of the first to flee from the ferry as it sank on Wednesday. “I can’t lift my face before the passengers and family members of those missing,” Lee […]