On April 21 and May 7, historian and UD OLLI instructor Dan Pritchett will present his third and fourth history talks so far this spring, in celebration of this year’s 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence. He will be presenting “Delaware in the Revolution — John Dickinson: A New Look” —
Dickinson’s “Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania” were among the earliest and clearest articulations of the American colonists’ grievances, and the essays became widely read across America and Europe. Pritchett offers a fresh exploration of one of the most fascinating yet often overlooked leaders in America’s founding.
Pritchett brings more than four decades of teaching experience to his Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) classrooms. He taught eighth grade American history for 34 years in the Capital School District and served for seven years as an adjunct professor at Delaware State University. Since retiring in 2010, he has been a popular OLLI instructor, beginning in 2012 and currently teaching in both Dover and Lewes.
He is known for blending history and music in dynamic courses that weave historical narrative with musical interpretation. His widely popular class on Alexander Hamilton paired Ron Chernow’s biography with selections from the Broadway soundtrack. He continues that creative approach with an upcoming class on the musical 1776 and a well-received course on George Gershwin.
To learn more about Pritchett’s takes on American history, read the following articles:
The greatest sentence ever writtenLearn about “The Declaration of Independence: What You Didn’t Learn in School.” While the Declaration is often remembered as a political turning point, Pritchett argues its deeper impact lies in how it reshaped the concept of humanity itself, in the U.S. and beyond. Few Americans realize just how radical, controversial and fragile its most important words once were. [Click here to read the full article.]
The founding father many probably haven’t heard aboutLearn more about Delaware’s unsung founding father, John Dickinson, an often overlooked founding father. Celebrated during his lifetime as the “Penman of the Revolution,” Dickinson shaped the young republic through his influential writings, constitutional work and political leadership. But his controversial position on the Declaration of Independence continues to eclipse his broader legacy. [Click here to read the full article.]
About UD’s lifelong learning program
The University of Delaware’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) is a volunteer-driven learning cooperative for adults age 50-plus, UD OLLI has over 2,500 active members and holds classes throughout Delaware and online, featuring a variety of learning and social opportunities with no exams or grades. Over 300 courses are offered each semester in topics ranging from art, history, literature and music to science, genealogy and yoga. OLLI members have a special UD-affiliated status, and receive many of the same benefits and discounts as UD undergraduate and graduate students, like a UD email address and ID card, UD library access, UD course auditing, Ancestry.com access, discounted UD football tickets and more — click here for details!
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the University of Delaware
OLLI is an academic cooperative for adults 50 and over to enjoy classes, teach, exchange ideas and socialize together, with no exams or educational requirements for participation. OLLI welcomes you.
Kent/Sussex | Wilmington
