By Jeremy Dibbell

On Monday, 9 November, the MHS hosts the official launch of Woody Holton’s Abigail Adams, a new biography of the woman Holton calls the “most richly documented woman of America’s founding era.” Holton offers important new insights into the life and times of his subject: Catherine Allgor, quoted on the dust jacket, says of the book “This is not your father’s Abigail Adams. Woody Holton has given us the gift of the most fully rounded picture of those most famous of Founding Mothers to date. Entrepreneur, politician, mother, wife – Abigail Adams emerges from Holton’s burnished prose as the compelling, complicated person she was. The discoveries he has made, and the insights they have inspired, will shape how we think of revolutionary men and women and partnerships both political and personal.”

Much of Holton’s research for this book is drawn from the Adams Family papers collection here at MHS (in its various forms), so needless to say we’re delighted to see the project come to fruition and are very much looking forward to the launch event. Refreshments will be served at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, with a talk by Woody Holton to begin at 6 p.m. Copies of the book will be available for purchase after the lecture.

On a personal note, I started Abigail Adams last night, and read long into the wee hours. It’s as captivating a biography as any I’ve ever read.