My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

The Philosophies of the American Foundings with David French Comes to Chautauqua Institution

The event is on Tuesday, January 21st 2025 at 3:00 pm.

By:
The Philosophies of the American Foundings with David French Comes to Chautauqua Institution

The Philosophies of the American Foundings with David French comes to Chautauqua Institution this month. The event is on Tuesday, January 21st 2025 at 3:00 pm.

The story of America is a story of a centuries-long collision between high ideals and grim reality. The words of the Declaration of Independence conflicted with the darkness of slavery. The terror of Jim Crow conflicted with the promises of the Civil War Amendments. This course will examine the philosophies that shaped the two foundings — one born out of revolution, the other out of civil war — and how those philosophies continue to call us to a higher and better version of ourselves today.

David French is an opinion columnist for The New York Times, where he writes about law, culture, religion, and armed conflict. He was previously a senior editor at The Dispatch, a contributing writer at The Atlantic, a columnist at Time and a senior writer at National Review. A frequent on stage at Chautauqua, he currently serves along with Melody Barnes as the Institution’s inaugural Perry Fellows in Democracy.

French is a former constitutional litigator, past president of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, and a New York Times bestselling author. His most recent book is Divided We Fall: America’s Secession Threat and How to Restore Our Nation, in which he warns of the potential dangers to the country — and the world — if we don’t summon the courage to reconcile our political differences.

A graduate of Harvard Law School, French is a former major in the United States Army Reserve and a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he was awarded the Bronze Star.



Theater Fans' Choice Awards
2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats
Best Sound Design - Top 3
1. Adam Fisher - The Lost Boys
36.2% of votes
2. Tony Gayle - Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)
10.7% of votes
3. Kai Harada - Ragtime
7.2% of votes

Don't Miss a Buffalo News Story
Sign up for all the news on the Spring season, discounts & more...


Videos


Rent in Buffalo Rent
Shea's Smith Theatre (1/29-2/14)
Churchill Starring Daniel Payne in Buffalo Churchill Starring Daniel Payne
Shea's Smith Theatre (11/05-11/08)
Girl On An Altar in Buffalo Girl On An Altar
Irish Classical Theatre Company (6/12-6/28)
NYSCA-Funded Performance in Buffalo: Bridging Acts (July 25, 2026) | 6:30-7:45pm in Buffalo NYSCA-Funded Performance in Buffalo: Bridging Acts (July 25, 2026) | 6:30-7:45pm
Center for the Arts - University at Buffalo (7/25-7/25)
Proof in Buffalo Proof
MuCCC (6/18-6/21)
SIX (Boleyn Tour) in Buffalo SIX (Boleyn Tour)
Shea's Performing Arts Center (6/08-6/13)
THE DRESSER in Buffalo THE DRESSER
MuCCC (7/24-8/01)
Tony N'' Tina''s Wedding in Buffalo Tony N'' Tina''s Wedding
Shea's Smith Theatre (3/05-3/21)
A Taste of Ireland - The Irish Music and Dance Sensation in Buffalo A Taste of Ireland - The Irish Music and Dance Sensation
Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center / Black Hole Studios (6/23-6/23)
Neglia Ballet Summer Gala in Buffalo Neglia Ballet Summer Gala
Nichols Flickinger Performing Arts Center (6/27-6/27)