Robert Allison

Prof of History Suffolk University; teach in Harvard Extension; Pres Colonial Society of Mass & chair Revolution 250.

[Bob Elder @southernphd]

I never met Gordon Wood, but I have a story about him.

In one of my grad school seminars, we read Wood’s Creation of the American Republic. The sheer erudition and evidentiary depth of the book bowled me over.

Back then, before kids and before life accelerated to warp speed, I used to call my mother every Sunday to catch up. Lots of times, we ended up talking about what I was reading that week in my grad seminars or for leisure. Mom had an omnivorous mind, and she was always looking for something else to read. She was a true intellectual—curious about almost everything, always eager to integrate new arguments or ideas into her existing schemas of how the world worked or to have those schemas challenged and changed.

When we talked that particular Sunday, I think I tried to describe to her part of Wood’s argument about the relationship between the state constitutions during the Articles of Confederation era and the federal Constitution. Maybe I was tired, maybe I didn’t completely understand her questions, but the end result of the conversation was that Mom had questions about Wood’s argument that I didn’t answer satisfactorily. I told her that she should probably just read the book, and we said goodbye.

She did eventually read the book, but the next Sunday, Mom started our conversation by saying, “Well, I had a lovely conversation with Gordon Wood this week.” For a split second, I thought she was joking, but then I remembered who I was dealing with. I started to sweat. “How?” I asked. A whole variety of unlikely scenarios in which the foremost historian of the American Revolution and my mother, who lived in Wichita, Kansas, might have met ran through my mind. “Oh, I just looked up his office phone number on Brown’s website and called, and he picked up!” Mom said. I decided I would have to find another profession.

As it ended up, Gordon Wood spent about an hour on the phone with my mother answering her questions about the Constitution. Ever since, I’ve had a soft spot for the man when I imagine him picking up the phone in Providence and finding Becky Elder from Wichita on the other end of the line. His generosity in that moment spoke very well of him.

Rest in peace, professor.

[Robert Allison @profallison]

Listening to "- Music and the American Revolution with Roger Lee Hall" at https://t.co/hPBLOSyZLW

[Robert Allison @profallison]

American Freedom Series: Republican Polytheism https://t.co/tg87RgSf89 via @YouTube

[Robert Allison @profallison]

The French playwright who saved the American Revolution https://t.co/rnFDxKiOyc via @YouTube

[Robert Allison @profallison]

Robert J. Allison — 1775: The Year the War Began https://t.co/ArzDapemnf

[Robert Allison @profallison]

Talking about "Securing Victory, 1781 - 1783" with Dr. Craig Bruce Smith at https://t.co/VdxI2OUH9N

[Robert Allison @profallison]

Talking about "What is an American?" - with Gordon Wood at https://t.co/RmVijDpUNB

[Robert Allison @profallison]

Talking about "Animals and Independence " with David Hsuing at https://t.co/xYNfd2xzXs

[Robert Allison @profallison]

History from the Boarding House! Listening to " The Constitution House in Philadelphia" at https://t.co/472PFhmSwV

[Robert Allison @profallison]

@janetj100 A lot of great documents in the collection!

[Robert Allison @profallison]

Talking about "The Malden Instructions" with Linda Thorsen and Tom Coots at https://t.co/KjEFe5ljTP

[Robert Allison @profallison]

Talking about "The Course of Human Events" with Steve Sarson at https://t.co/bITnGDJEgY

[Robert Allison @profallison]

Talking about "Heroes of 1776" great new book about the Declaration of Independence for young readers with co-author Janie Nitze at https://t.co/bULPWUFZrT

[Robert Allison @profallison]

Click, tap, revolt: A new augmented-reality exhibit marks America’s 250th https://t.co/KWax7VLxLl via @SouthPark Magazine

[Robert Allison @profallison]

Talking about "Philadelphia Quakers and the American Revolution" with Jeffrey Denman at https://t.co/E10pSvrXUp

[Robert Allison @profallison]

Talking about "Rage and the Republic" with Jonathan Turley at https://t.co/soe5FcImZe

[Robert Allison @profallison]

Talking about "The Maddest Idea: Creating a Navy" with B. J. Armstrong at https://t.co/mR4Lx6dcw0

[Robert Allison @profallison]

Boston Found: Evacuation Day 250 – The British are Leaving! https://t.co/oBA6qEOzvP via @YouTube

[Robert Allison @profallison]

Talking about Nathanael Greene with Richard Howell at https://t.co/TErqJLwJZO

[Robert Allison @profallison]

Nick Collins on Henry Knox and Evacuation Day!https://t.co/e9pvWhN5Xk