We know from early historians how devastating this variety of smallpox was, 90 of all indigenous deaths were attributable to smallpox, tell us about that. There was a point of scholarly discussion. One of the sources we have, most of the media is a chronicler, spanish chronicler arrived in spain, he wrote a diary or memoir, talks about the actual mortality rate, keeps talking in terms of 50 but some of the other sources we have, people like cortez himself cortez writes and cant stand, and in europes time. From 1522 january 15, 21 is one of smallpox was introduced, theres a very early source, talks about him and writes a letter to charles v in 1520 and this is the first mention of smallpox in the new world from a spanish source. He was surprised when he arrived, there were very few people there and he attributed to dying of smallpox, he heads off and finds immediately upon arrival of the expedition, the native people began dying of smallpox fairly rapidly, very rapid phase but a number
Hello. And a very warm welcome to National Book festival prevents the library of congress. My name is marie. Author and im also the literary director of the library of congress. Much of my own writing has been about the history and the people of latin america and the purpose of this conversation is to share a little bit of that history and talk about how it compares with and connects to the pandemic that were living through right now, right here in april 2020. So many of us are at home, or living at home and sheltering in place. As science takes on the covid19 virus. Unfortunate habit truly skilled and knowledgeable holly joining me today, a scholar who wears many hats spanning history, science, archaeology and geography. John hessler is the director of the kids like election at the library of congress and a specialist on early america. He is author of the book recently a final library of congress all collecting for a new world. John is also a distinguished curator in the librarys youn
Good evening and welcome the bancroft prize program. Columbia university is honored to cosponsor this annual celebrate with the Columbia Department of history each year. The history. Selects one of its leading historians to chair a panel of three jurors chosen the finest scholars in the field hailing from Top Research University across the country. We are delighted that American History tv elected to expand its partnership with us this year by Recording Program for airing an archiving on its website. We will circulate word when the air date and Online Access are available. Were also thrilled that so many guests are joining us for tonights program which features brief interviews with the book prize winners. Their scholarly works delving the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. It is a joy to celebrating books tonight. In addition to the important prizes that are awarded the endowment left to Library Libraries by, Frederick Bancroft enables us to continue to acquire both rare archival material
Celebrate with the Columbia Department of history each year. The history. Selects one of its leading historians to chair a panel of three jurors chosen the finest scholars in the field hailing from Top Research University across the country. We are delighted that American History tv elected to expand its partnership with us this year by Recording Program for airing an archiving on its website. We will circulate word when the air date and Online Access are available. Were also thrilled that so many guests are joining us for tonights program which features brief interviews with the book prize winners. Their scholarly works delving the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. It is a joy to celebrating books tonight. In addition to the important prizes that are awarded the endowment left to Library Libraries by, Frederick Bancroft enables us to continue to acquire both rare archival material and new publications of Scholarly Research conducted by historians around the world. It is a privilege to wo
Good evening and welcome the bancroft prize program. Columbia university is honored to cosponsor this annual celebrate with the Columbia Department of history each year. The history. Selects one of its leading historians to chair a panel of three jurors chosen the finest scholars in the field hailing from Top Research University across the country. We are delighted that American History tv elected to expand its partnership with us this year by Recording Program for airing an archiving on its website. We will circulate word when the air date and Online Access are available. Were also thrilled that so many guests are joining us for tonights program which features brief interviews with the book prize winners. Their scholarly works delving the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. It is a joy to celebrating books tonight. In addition to the important prizes that are awarded the endowment left to Library Libraries by, Frederick Bancroft enables us to continue to acquire both rare archival material