Allen C. Guelzo, Senior Research Scholar in the Council of the Humanities and Director of the Initiative on Politics and Statesmanship in the James Madison Program, Princeton University and Robert P. George, McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence and Director of the James Madison Program, Princeton University

Dr. Guelzo is one of our country’s preeminent historians—a celebrated biographer of Abraham Lincoln and scholar of the Civil War. He is also an astute analyst of contemporary American politics and culture.  Drawing on historical examples, he and Professor George will discuss more and less successful cases of political leadership in times of national crisis. Whether the threat is military, economic, or biological, statesmanship during crises requires the kind of prudent judgment—what might even be called wisdom—that can be enhanced by thoughtful consideration of past experiences. History will not necessarily provide a roadmap, but perhaps reflection on historical cases can teach us some lessons in safely navigating the highways when there is no roadmap at hand.