The issues facing the issues of Rural America in tight robe. Enjoy tonight and on the weekend, cspan2. A very warm welcome to the first lecture of the general society, labor, literature and landmark lecture series. I am karen taylor, Program Director of the general society. The labor, literature and landmark lecturere series are supported in part by public funds from the new York City Department of cultural affairs, in partnership with the city council. For those of you who may be less familiar with the general society and if you dont mind i will ask how many of you here f this evening will this be your first visit . Okay. Right, warm welcome and of course a welcome back to previous attendees. The general society was founded in 1785 by 22 artisans in today are 234 yearold organization continues to serve the people of the city of new york. Ek do this through our culturl and Educational Programs and they include our lecture series of which tonights lecture is a part of and general Societ
Familiar with the general society and if you dont mind im going to ask. How many of you here this evening is this your first event . A warm welcome and of course a welcome back to previous attendees. The general society was founded in 1785 by 22 artisans. Today our 234yearold organization continues to serve the people of the city of new york. We do this through our cultural and educational programs. They include our lecture series which of course is the lecture to the party. The general Society Library which will be celebrating 200 years next year. Our tuition free Mechanics Institute and the john m. Loughlin and collection which you are welcome to visit after our talk this evening and that is upstairs. Youll find more information on the blueandwhite postcard on your seats. Now we have such a wonderful start to this years lecture season. I have the pleasure of welcoming critically acclaimed biographer susan ronald who tonight will discuss her accuracy of conde nast the Public Affairs a