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Dr. Alexander Lawrence Ames @wordinwilderness.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

I had such a wonderful time visiting @stjohnscollege.bsky.social to study the papers of Sir Cecil Beaton, who was a dear friend of #MercedesdeAcosta as well as a committed diarist and letter-writer.

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Dr. Alexander Lawrence Ames @wordinwilderness.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

I had a wonderful time in Paris, doing research on #MercedesdeAcosta's 1925 production of "Jehanne d'Arc" in that city in partnership with her dear friend #EvaLeGallienne. Not only did I accomplish a lot of work at the BnF and other institutions, but I had plenty of time to read and write.

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Dr. Alexander Lawrence Ames @wordinwilderness.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Happy Birthday, me! I’m spending my 39th birthday packing to fly to Paris on Friday, in pursuit of this lady, Mercedes de Acosta, who was derided by Cecil Beaton as “that furious lesbian." She got her theatrical start in sapphic Paris before making a controversial name for herself in Hollywood.

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Dr. Alexander Lawrence Ames @wordinwilderness.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

I look forward to exploring the German connections of Stephen Girard and Girard College at an event at the German Society of PA on September 17! Learn more and register here: germansociety.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/ne... Photos of the George Herzog ceiling at Founder's Hall by Juan Vidalat.

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Dr. Alexander Lawrence Ames @wordinwilderness.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

Powerful lessons await us within the magnificent walls of Founder's Hall at Girard College. Learn more in "Portrait of a Citizen": www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi... #StephenGirard #PortraitofaCitizen

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Dr. Alexander Lawrence Ames @wordinwilderness.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

A #PortraitofaCitizen reader shared this holiday weekend image from Mackinac Island with me. So pleased to know that someone found this to be pleasant holiday weekend reading!

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Dr. Alexander Lawrence Ames @wordinwilderness.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

As we commemorate the United States' 250th anniversary, I find myself reflecting on Stephen Girard's accomplishments and shortcomings, and the extent to which they mirror the challenges and accomplishments of his adopted nation. #StephenGirard #PortraitofaCitizen #America250 #citizenship

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Dr. Alexander Lawrence Ames @wordinwilderness.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

People often ask me if I emerged from my research for "Portrait of a Citizen" liking or disliking Stephen Girard. Learn the answer here! #StephenGirard #PortraitofaCitizen #America250 #history #Philadelphia

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Dr. Alexander Lawrence Ames @wordinwilderness.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

One of the best (and indeed one of the only) ways to access the interior life of #StephenGirard is by means of his surviving #materialculture at Girard College. Learn more in this clip from my book launch at Founder's Hall earlier this month. #PortraitofaCitizen #history #museums #archives

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Dr. Alexander Lawrence Ames @wordinwilderness.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Stephen Girard came into possession of this monumental bust of Napoleon by means of his friend Joseph Bonaparte, Napoleon's brother and formerly the king of Spain who resided for a time in Philadelphia and New Jersey after his exile. #materialculture #StephenGirard #PortraitofaCitizen

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Dr. Alexander Lawrence Ames @wordinwilderness.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

I believe that the life, work, and legacy of Stephen Girard hold urgent lessons for Americans today, so many years after his death. Learn more in "Portrait of a Citizen"! #StephenGirard #PortraitofaCitizen #America250

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Dr. Alexander Lawrence Ames @wordinwilderness.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

What role should the super-rich play in directing civic life? That question is as alive in 2026 as it was in 1831, when Stephen Girard died. Girard's great act of philanthropy--the establishment of Girard College--has proven a double-edged sword for his legacy. #StephenGirard #PortraitofaCitizen

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Dr. Alexander Lawrence Ames @wordinwilderness.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Stephen Girard chose to become something other than what he had been born: a revolutionary opportunity available to him in the 18th-century Atlantic world. What can we learn about the ideologies of the American republic by studying his transformation from monarchical subject to republican citizen?

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Dr. Alexander Lawrence Ames @wordinwilderness.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

Why has #StephenGirard been such a difficult figure for Philadelphians and Americans to interpret and situate in our larger collective memory? This is a question I explore in #PortraitofaCitizen.

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Dr. Alexander Lawrence Ames @wordinwilderness.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

A recording of the "Portrait of a Citizen" book launch is now on YouTube! Check out the program here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLFy.... A clip is below. #PortraitofaCitizen #StephenGirard #booklaunch#America250 #Philadelphia #history #libraries #museums @degruyterbrill.bsky.social

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Dr. Alexander Lawrence Ames @wordinwilderness.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

It was such a treat to host the book launch for "Portrait of a Citizen" at the Founder's Hall Museum at Girard College on Friday evening. Many thanks to the College and everyone who visited this historic site for a conversation about Girard's life and legacy! #booklaunch #StephenGirard #America250

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Dr. Alexander Lawrence Ames @wordinwilderness.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

Our "Portrait of a Citizen" #StephenGirard course yesterday was a success, commemorating the 250th anniversary of Girard's arrival in Philadelphia with a discussion of his complex, long-term impact and legacy. #museums #specialcollections #history #America250 #archives #PortraitofaCitizen

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Dr. Alexander Lawrence Ames @wordinwilderness.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

Join me at Founder's Hall this Friday evening for the launch of "Portrait of a Citizen!" www.eventbrite.com/e/stephen-gi... #booklaunch #StephenGirard #Philadelphia #America250

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Dr. Alexander Lawrence Ames @wordinwilderness.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

It was such a pleasure to visit De Gruyter Brill during my trip to Berlin last week, to tour their historic HQ and meet in-person with the fabulous Rabea Rittgerodt, who shepherded my book project over the finish line. #publishing #books #Berlin #DeGruyter #PortraitofaCitizen

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Dr. Alexander Lawrence Ames @wordinwilderness.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

Join me for the book launch of "Portrait of a Citizen" on June 5th! More information and registration via this link: www.eventbrite.com/e/stephen-gi...

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Dr. Alexander Lawrence Ames @wordinwilderness.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

What a pleasure to see John Y. Wind's "Charm Offensive" public art intervention at the Reilly Memorial! Check it out this weekend only in Fairmount Park.

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Dr. Alexander Lawrence Ames @wordinwilderness.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

Here's a letter from the Buddhist monk Thittila to Mercedes de Acosta, thanking her for a copy of her memoir "Here Lies the Heart." This is part of the Acosta collection at the Georgetown University Library special collections.

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Dr. Alexander Lawrence Ames @wordinwilderness.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

I feel so grateful to the Alliance Française de Philadelphie for hosting my first public event associated with "Portrait of a Citizen" on Friday night. I'm also grateful for the +/- 25 history enthusiasts who showed up on a Friday evening for a local history program! #books #portraitofacitizen

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Dr. Alexander Lawrence Ames @wordinwilderness.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

I'm very excited to bring #biblioharp to the Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center this March! Seats are still available in "The Quiet Land of Erin" Celtic harp and spirituality workshop: www.schwenkfelder.org/calendar/the... #spirituality #harp #Celticharp #manuscripts #meditation

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Dr. Alexander Lawrence Ames @wordinwilderness.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

Handwritten note describing Mercedes de Acosta's donation of #MarleneDietrich letters and artifacts to the Rosenbach as part of her larger gift in the 1960's. #MercedesdeAcosta #archives #specialcollections #manuscripts

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Dr. Alexander Lawrence Ames @wordinwilderness.bsky.social · 21/02/2026

It felt great yesterday to present a copy of "Portrait of a Citizen" to the Founder's Hall Museum at Girard College, where I did so much research for the book. Hopefully the volume will be of use to them, and to future researchers! #materialculture #maritimehistory #museums #libraries #archives

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Dr. Alexander Lawrence Ames @wordinwilderness.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

My favorite book in the Rosenbach's collection: the Holy Bible once belonging to playwright, screenwriter, poet, novelist and memoirist #MercedesdeAcosta. Photo by Tracie Van Auken. #rarebooks #specialcollections #libraries #books #historyofreligion

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Dr. Alexander Lawrence Ames @wordinwilderness.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

Loving this #tea print I encountered today at the Rosenbach.

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Dr. Alexander Lawrence Ames @wordinwilderness.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

I'll be presenting on my #StephenGirard #research at the Alliance Française de Philadelphie on March 27th! Follow this link to learn more: www.afphila.com/event-rsvp/b... #research #writing #materialculture #materialtexts #Frenchhistory #French #bookhistory

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Dr. Alexander Lawrence Ames @wordinwilderness.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

Many of the prints I encountered in New Bedford, including this one, were printed by Charles Taber & Co., a prominent local firm at the end of the 19th century. #prints #printculture #NewBedford #whaling #PortraitofaCitizen

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Dr. Alexander Lawrence Ames @wordinwilderness.bsky.social · 08/01/2026

When purchased from the Girard estate by George Howland for whaling use, the pious Howland had the ROUSSEAU's figurehead of Jean-Jacques Rousseau removed (and decapitated!), replacing it with this billethead. #maritimehistory #Rousseau #PortraitofaCitizen #StephenGirard #whaling #materialculture

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Dr. Alexander Lawrence Ames @wordinwilderness.bsky.social · 07/01/2026

The problem with historical research is that one inevitably discovers many other topics that one wants to research. This happened to me in New Bedford: I fell quite in love with the works of Lemuel David Eldred (1848-1921). #NewBedford #Fairhaven #PortraitofaCitizen #whaling #maritimehistory

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Dr. Alexander Lawrence Ames @wordinwilderness.bsky.social · 06/01/2026

One of my favorite photos of the whaling bark ROUSSEAU (left) with the DESDEMONA at New Bedford, ca. 1893. The photo is by Edwin Hale Lincoln and titled "Their Last Port." New Bedford Free Public Library, 2010.007.012.019j. #NewBedford #maritimehistory #StephenGirard #whaling #PortraitofaCitizen

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Dr. Alexander Lawrence Ames @wordinwilderness.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

New Bedford Harbor, seen here at the end of the 19th century. The whaling bark ROUSSEAU sailed out of New Bedford for decades following the death of #StephenGirard. This photo is from the collection of the New Bedford Free Public Library. #maritimehistory #NewBedford #whaling #PortraitofaCitizen

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Dr. Alexander Lawrence Ames @wordinwilderness.bsky.social · 04/01/2026

There are times I feel I've gotten to know #StephenGirard a bit too well. Behold Stephen's stockings! These are wonderful survivals, notable because of the darning on them, indicative of the multiracial female labor present in Girard's household. #PortraitofaCitizen #materialculture

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Dr. Alexander Lawrence Ames @wordinwilderness.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

Founder's Hall at #GirardCollege, one of the finest examples of Greek Revival architecture in the country. #Museums #PortraitofaCitizen #StephenGirard

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Dr. Alexander Lawrence Ames @wordinwilderness.bsky.social · 02/01/2026

Stephen Girard's surviving library at Girard College is home to many impressive cartouches, including this one, which I believe is from his copy of the "Pilote Americain Septetrional" of 1778. #rarebooks #prints #specialcollections #StephenGirard #PortraitofaCitizen

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Dr. Alexander Lawrence Ames @wordinwilderness.bsky.social · 01/01/2026

The entombed, and emmarbled, Stephen Girard in Founder's Hall at Girard College, which opened its doors and began operations on New Year's Day 1848. #StephenGirard #GirardCollege #PortraitofaCitizen

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Dr. Alexander Lawrence Ames @wordinwilderness.bsky.social · 30/12/2025

This is one of my favorite historic photos I've encountered during research for #PortraitofaCitizen, showing the "Memorial Room" in Founder's Hall at Girard College in 1893. #materialculture #decorativeart #museums #specialcollections #StephenGirard

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Dr. Alexander Lawrence Ames @wordinwilderness.bsky.social · 28/12/2025

An outcome of my research into the #PhilosopherShips of #StephenGirard is that I now get very excited about little chunks of wood in various museum collections. Here's an example: a piece of the ROUSSEAU at Girard College. #PortraitofaCitizen #maritimehistory #Rousseau #NewBedford

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Dr. Alexander Lawrence Ames @wordinwilderness.bsky.social · 27/12/2025

Stephen Girard maintained an interest in politics and the life and work of Founding Fathers and other leaders. One gets the sense that he modeled his philanthropy and civic engagement on ideals of service embodied in national leaders. #rarebooks #specialcollections #libraries #PortraitofaCitizen

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Dr. Alexander Lawrence Ames @wordinwilderness.bsky.social · 26/12/2025

Stephen Girard was a meticulous record-keeper, as evinced by these wooden chests in which he stored financial records associated with all of his vessels' voyages. Here you see the chest for the MONTESQUIEU. #StephenGirard #PortraitofaCitizen #archives #specialcollections #libraries #museums

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Dr. Alexander Lawrence Ames @wordinwilderness.bsky.social · 23/12/2025

In December 1922, these students enjoyed some Christmas festivities at Girard College. #GirardCollege #StephenGirard #PortraitofaCitizen

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Dr. Alexander Lawrence Ames @wordinwilderness.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

Here's another Christmas lantern slide from the Girard College Historical Collection: Evangeline Wilbour Blashfield's "Christmas Chimes." Manufactured by the Keystone View Company. #lanternslides #magiclantern #StephenGirard #PortraitofaCitizen #GirardCollege #FoundersHall

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Dr. Alexander Lawrence Ames @wordinwilderness.bsky.social · 21/12/2025

For some holiday cheer, let's contemplate this magic lantern slide of Steinle's "Christmas of St. Francis," from the Girard College Historical Collection. Note the angels floating above Francis, including one playing my favorite instrument. #PortraitofaCitizen #StephenGirard #lanternslides

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