7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 19 | Xavier Theatre | Free Admission

(Leavenworth, Kan.)—The University of Saint Mary presents historian and author Dr. Bryan Le Beau for the university's 20th annual Lincoln Event—"Abraham Lincoln and the Media: How Political Cartoonists Portrayed the Civil War President," a portrait of Lincoln as produced by the pens of 1860s graphic artists—at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 19 (Presidents Day).

Admission is free. The program will be in Xavier Theatre on USM's main campus in Leavenworth, 4100 South 4th Street.

Seating is limited. A reception will follow. Visit stmary.edu/Lincoln for more information.


"The Lincoln Event is a laudable University of Saint Mary tradition—and a compelling, informative evening" said university Provost Dr. Michelle Metzinger. "It's particularly fitting to host Dr. Le Beau—USM's provost for nine years—for the 20th edition of this program."


Dr. Le Beau is the author of nine books and dozens of articles on American history, including his just released two-volume history of religion in America and "Currier and Ives: America Imagined," which focuses on the premier producers of graphic images during the Civil War era. He holds a Ph.D. from New York University and served as a professor and dean for 25 years at Creighton University and UMKC, before spending nine years as professor, provost and vice president for academic affairs at USM.


His presentation explores the growing importance of graphic images in the news media in the mid-19th Century and their impact on the American Presidency. The Civil War was the first major event to be pictured in this new medium, and no single figure so dominated those images as Lincoln. Modern audiences may be surprised to learn that political cartoonists were not always kind to the 16th President.


"Abraham Lincoln and the Media" will explore images that reference the critical issues of the day: the Election of 1860, the threat and realization of disunion, slavery, race, the darkest hours of the war when Union and Lincoln's defeat seemed assured, and, of course, Lincoln's assassination.


Attendees will also be able to view pieces from USM's extensive Bernard H. Hall Lincoln Collection, including a rare original copy of the 13th Amendment signed by President Lincoln.


About the USM Lincoln Event Series
The University of Saint Mary started the annual Lincoln series in 1999 to spotlight the Hall Lincoln Collection, housed in USM's De Paul Library. The university offers guided tours of the Lincoln Collection. Call 913-758-6306 to schedule a tour.

Over the past 19 years, USM's primary Lincoln Event has welcomed a variety of luminaries for the featured speaker. Previous guests have included politicians, historians, U.S. Army generals, best-selling authors, and actors who've portrayed first lady Mary Todd Lincoln and President Lincoln himself.


The USM Lincoln Event is made possible by Country Club Bank of Leavenworth and Lansing, the long-time Lincoln Event benefactor.


Seating is limited and will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Call 913-758-6329 or go to stmary.edu/Lincoln for more information on USM's 20th Annual Lincoln Event, "Abraham Lincoln and the Media."


The University of Saint Mary is a Catholic co-educational applied liberal arts university founded and sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. The University of Saint Mary main campus is located at 4100 South 4th Street, Leavenworth, Kan. USM's Overland Park Campus at 4500 College Boulevard offers evening accelerated graduate and undergraduate degree-completion programs. The university also offers online programs. Visit stmary.edu for more information.