Harold Holzer is one of the country's leading authorities on Abraham Lincoln and the political culture of the Civil War era. A prolific writer and lecturer, and frequent guest on television, he serves as co-chairman of the United States Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, appointed by President Clinton in September 2000, and elected co-chair in 2001. President Bush, in turn, awarded Holzer the National Humanities Medal in 2008. He has written, co-authored, and edited 34 books. The Library Journal “highly recommended” his new book, Lincoln President-Elect: Abraham Lincoln and the Great Secession Winter 1860-1861 and Doris Kearns Goodwin called it a "stunningly original work that casts completely new light on the most turbulent and critical presidential transition in American history." Holzer will be discussing Lincoln's pivotal Cooper Union Speech, Lincoln's most influential and widely reported pre-presidential address -- an extraordinary appeal by the western politician to the eastern elite that propelled him toward the Republican nomination for president. Delivered in New York in February 1860, the Cooper Union speech dispelled doubts about Lincoln's suitability for the presidency and reassured conservatives of his moderation while reaffirming his opposition to slavery to Republican progressives. The lecture will be followed by a books signing and light reception at the Exeter Historical Society, located at 47 Front Street in Exeter.  This event is sponsored by The Exeter Historical Society, Phillips Exeter Academy, the New Hampshire Humanities Council, and many others. For the entire schedule, see the Exeter Historical Society website.