History Happy Hour: Citizen Sam

Citizen Sam: Stalwart of the Midcoast & the New Nation Brigadier General Samuel Thompson is perhaps our most famous—and infamous—Revolutionary era resident. Doug Bennett, who lives in Thompson’s Topsham home, relates Thompson’s rise to prominence from local tavern owner to head of the Brunswick militia, Senator, delegate to the Constitutional Convention. A Patriot rabble-rouser, Thompson and his militia captured British Lieutenant Henry Mowat in May of 1775, which led directly to Mowat ordering the Burning of Falmouth (today’s Portland) that fall. Presenter: Doug Bennett served as President of Earlham College (Richmond, Indiana) from 1997 to 2011. Before that, he served as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the American Council of Learned Societies (1994-1997), as Provost at Reed College (1989-93), and as Professor of Political Science at Temple University (1973-1989). He was educated at Haverford College and Yale University and is a member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). He is active in several local organizations.  Tickets are $10 for PHC members and $15 for non-members, and include refreshments. To learn more about membership benefits including program discounts, visit this page.