Ghosts in the White House: The People Behind Presidential Speeches

Mon., March 30-May 4, 12-1:30 p.m.

Time: 12-1:30 p.m.

Location: Online

Cost: $70

With Diana Carlin, Ph.D., Professor Emerita of Communication, Saint Louis University

Who writes presidential speeches? Examine the changes in presidential speech writing from the earliest speechwriters in George Washington’s administration to contemporary speechwriters. Yes, Hamilton did help Washington write his Farewell Address. But, no, Lincoln did not write the Gettysburg Address on the back of an envelope.

We will discuss the process used by a wide range of presidents and look at copies of speech writing drafts from FDR, Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Carter, and George H.W. Bush. We will view video and audio clips from speeches and from former White House speechwriters describing the process.

Diana Carlin, Ph.D. is Professor Emerita of communication at Saint Louis University. For 30 years, she has taught courses on and written about First Ladies. She is the co-author of U.S. First Ladies: Making History and Leaving Legacies and Remember the First Ladies: America's History-Making Women. Carlin has published articles and book chapters on a variety of First Ladies and researches and writes on the topics of women in politics, presidential communication, and political debate.

This class will not be recorded.

Class #: 24002

Registration opens for OLLI members on Feb. 3. Non-members may register starting Feb. 9.