The Allen County Public Library and Friends of the Lincoln Collection will present the annual Rolland Lecture at noon on June 19, 2026, which will explore Frederick Douglass’s evolving view of President Abraham Lincoln.
Allen County Public Library news release:
Juneteenth Lecture Explores Frederick Douglass’s Evolving View of Abraham Lincoln
Fort Wayne, Indiana (June 15, 2026) – The Allen County Public Library (ACPL) and Friends of the Lincoln Collection will present the annual Rolland Lecture at noon on Friday, June 19, in the Main Library Theater (900 Library Plaza). This year’s program, titled “Douglass Sizes Up Lincoln: From Fierce Critic to Great Admirer,” will be delivered by noted scholar Dr. Lucas Morel.
Held in observance of Juneteenth, the lecture will examine the evolving relationship between abolitionist Frederick Douglass and President Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War. Drawing on speeches and letters—some shared with British abolitionists and not widely seen since their original publication—Dr. Morel will trace how Douglass’s early criticism transformed into deep admiration for Lincoln’s anti-slavery leadership.
“This year’s Rolland Lecture offers a powerful opportunity to reflect on the evolving relationship between Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln reminds us that the American story is one of growth and challenges,” said ACPL Director of Special Collections Curt Witcher. “As we approach the 250th anniversary of our country, it is important to examine the lessons of the past and recognize the unfinished work of freedom and equality.”
The lecture is based on the recently published book “Measuring the Man: The Writings of Frederick Douglass on Abraham Lincoln,” co-edited by Dr. Morel and historian Jonathan White.
Dr. Morel serves as the John K. Boardman, Jr. Professor of Politics and head of the Politics Department at Washington and Lee University. He earned his Ph.D. in political science from Claremont Graduate University and is the author and editor of several works on Lincoln and American political thought, including “Lincoln and the American Founding” and “Lincoln’s Sacred Effort: Defining Religion’s Role in American Self-Government.”
In addition to his academic work, Dr. Morel leads educational workshops for teachers through organizations such as the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History and the Bill of Rights Institute. He is a former president of the Abraham Lincoln Institute and currently serves on the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, which is coordinating national commemorations of the country’s 250th anniversary.
The Rolland Lecture is free and open to the public. For more information about the event, visit acpl.info/rolland.
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