September 5, 2019:
Join the Newport Historical Society for “Frère et Concitoyen”: A Newporter in Revolutionary France, a lecture by Will Simpson, a Buchanan Burnham Summer Scholar in Public History, which will be at the Newport Historical Society Resource Center, 82 Touro Street, Newport, RI, on September 5, 2019 at 5:30 pm.

The story of William H. Vernon’s years in France (1778-1797) is one of thrilling political intrigue, as this young American merchant, a member of one of Newport’s most influential Colonial-era merchant families, found himself thrust into the midst of the French Revolution. Join us to hear Buchanan Burnham Summer Scholar in Public History Will Simpson’s presentation based on his research of the Newport Historical Society’s Vernon family manuscript collections.

Will Simpson is a recent graduate of Middlebury College where he majored in French with a minor in history and was the recipient of the Lesley T. Ketzel ‘49 and Stephen A. Freeman prizes. He conducted eleven weeks of research at the Newport Historical Society as a 2019 Buchanan Burnham Summer Scholar in Public History, uncovering Newporter William H. Vernon’s experiences while in France from 1778 to 1797. A native of Middletown who graduated from St. George’s School in 2014, Simpson will be working as an English teaching assistant in France next year before potentially pursuing graduate studies in History, French Studies, or Translation/Interpretation. Will Simpson is a member of The Alliance Francaise of Newport.

General admission costs $5 per person, $1 for Newport Historical Society members along with retired and active duty military.