Author explains founding father
In an event sponsored by USU’s Project on Liberty and American Constitutionalism, Richard Brookhiser, a senior editor for National Review and author of “James Madison: Father of the Constitution, Father of Politics,” spoke to students and faculty Tuesday afternoon in the TSC Auditorium.
During his speech, he focused on James Madison and the Constitution’s role in modern American politics. He gave a number of anecdotes stories about young Madison and his significant part in the making of the constitution.
“Madison is like the energizer bunny,” Brookhiser said. “He never stops.”
A majority of Brookhiser’s work has been historical. He conducted studies on George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Gouverneur Morris and the Adams family.
“I have always had a love for history,” Brookhiser said. “In high school, it was my sport. I knew every president and every candidate for president in the history of the United States. History is not so long ago. The founding of our government is much closer than those of other countries.”
Brookhiser was born Feb. 23, 1955 in Rochester, N.Y. He now resides with his wife of 32 years, Jeanne Safer, a psychotherapist and author, in Manhattan.
Brookhiser is the author of 13 books, including “Right Time, Right Place” and “What Would the Founders Do?” In 2002, he wrote and hosted “Rediscovering George Washington” and “Rediscovering Alexander Hamilton,” both documentaries for PBS Television. Many of Brookhiser’s writings have been featured in magazines such as Cosmopolitan, Vanity Fair and The New Yorker.
Brookhiser’s first article was published in the National Review when he was 15 years old. In 1977, he graduated from Yale University and was hired on full-time for the National Review. By the age of 23, he had become the youngest senior editor in the magazine’s history.
In 2008, Brookhiser was awarded the National Humanities Medal during a White House ceremony by then-President George Bush.
“I have always written about the living politicians,” Brookhiser said when asked why he writes about politicians. “It didn’t seem like the dead ones would be such a stress.”
Brookhiser said his typical day consists of mostly writing. Depending on the assignment, he reads and prepares throughout the day. He said he has found he writes best in the afternoon.
For current politics, Brookhiser said history is a great predictor for what will happen.
“Most second terms are lousy,” he said. “I hope Obama knows that. The presidents, and everyone else for that matter, get worn out. That’s the way it’s been since George Washington.”
Adam Stuart, a law and constitutions and economics major, said the speech helped expand his political knowledge.
I think it is important for people to understand past leaders and their actions,” Stuart said. “This helps current leaders learn what works and what doesn’t.”
Brookhiser said students need to have understanding of politics so they can understand how the world works.
“Read a lot,” he said. “Be interested in politics and history. They are interested in you.”
– leannfox@aggiemail.usu.edu