State Historian is January’s Third Thursday BrownBag Lunch Speaker

Walter Woodward, Connecticut State Historian, will present “How Alchemy Helped John Winthrop Obtain Connecticut’s Royal Charter of 1662″, Thursday, January 20, 2011 from Noon to 12:45 at the Connecticut State Library, 231 Capitol Avenue, Hartford.

Dr. Woodward’s presentation is based on his recently published book, Prospero’s America: John Winthrop, Jr., Alchemy, and the Creation of New England Culture, 1606-1676. Prospero’s America reconceptualizes the significance of early modern science in shaping New England hand in hand with Puritanism and politics. Winthrop’s occult knowledge provided him great authority in witchcraft cases, which as governor he used to permanently put an end to Connecticut witchcraft executions. In England, alchemical networks linked Winthrop to court patronage, which helped him obtain–and later defend–Connecticut’s remarkable royal charter.

Dr. Woodard’s talk is part of the State Library’s Third Thursday BrownBag Lunchtime speaker series which features a variety of speakers on various
aspects of Connecticut history. All programs are free and open to the public.