About Howard Wright
Howard Wright is a member of the Association of Lincoln Presenters, an organization dedicated to the serious interpretation of Abraham Lincoln. Mr. Wright has taught at Renbrook School, an independent school in West Hartford, CT, since 1980. He plays a number of different roles, including Dean of Students, Science Department Head, and middle school science teacher.
Mr. Wright has performed "Simply Lincoln" for elementary through high school students, the Connecticut State Veterans Home and Hospital (Rocky Hill, CT), historical societies, living history events, the Stowe Center (Hartford, CT), the Wadsworth Atheneum (Hartford, CT), the Philipse Manor Hall (Yonkers, NY), and the Connecticut State Capitol Building.
Mr. Wright is 6' 3" (yielding an inch to Mr. Lincoln), and his appearance (stovepipe hat, real beard, authentic period attire, and Kentucky-style accent) creates a memorable impression on any audience.
Mr. Wright is honored by being appointed by Governor M. Jodi Rell to the Connecticut Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, where he serves as Co-chair alongside Lincoln scholar Michael A. Burlingame (author or editor of 12 books on Lincoln, including the 2008 two-volume biography Abraham Lincoln: A Life). Mr. Wright and Professor Burlingame will retrace Lincoln’s steps through Connecticut of 1860, and deliver a presentation of Lincoln and his words in five cities: Bridgeport, Norwich, Meriden, New Haven, and Hartford.
Mr. Wright has performed "Simply Lincoln" for elementary through high school students, the Connecticut State Veterans Home and Hospital (Rocky Hill, CT), historical societies, living history events, the Stowe Center (Hartford, CT), the Wadsworth Atheneum (Hartford, CT), the Philipse Manor Hall (Yonkers, NY), and the Connecticut State Capitol Building.
Mr. Wright is 6' 3" (yielding an inch to Mr. Lincoln), and his appearance (stovepipe hat, real beard, authentic period attire, and Kentucky-style accent) creates a memorable impression on any audience.
Mr. Wright is honored by being appointed by Governor M. Jodi Rell to the Connecticut Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, where he serves as Co-chair alongside Lincoln scholar Michael A. Burlingame (author or editor of 12 books on Lincoln, including the 2008 two-volume biography Abraham Lincoln: A Life). Mr. Wright and Professor Burlingame will retrace Lincoln’s steps through Connecticut of 1860, and deliver a presentation of Lincoln and his words in five cities: Bridgeport, Norwich, Meriden, New Haven, and Hartford.
About the Presentation "Simply Lincoln"
The purpose of “Simply Lincoln” is for the audience to measure Abraham Lincoln’s greatness by listening to his actual words and unique use of the English language. The program’s accuracy and authenticity is dependable; all selected speeches, letters, and quotes are taken from Roy P. Basler’s definitive eight-volume set, The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln.
Lincoln’s writing style was influenced by a lifelong passion of reading Elizabethan literature, such as the works of Shakespeare and the King James version of the Bible.
When Lincoln composed a speech, he often read his words aloud in order to see how they would sound. His speeches were intended, after all, to be heard, not read.
Lincoln worked to simplify the language of his message. Yet the full meaning of his words was not simple, but profound.
The focus of “Simply Lincoln” is between the years 1858 and 1865.
There are two versions of "Simply Lincoln"
1. Only Lincoln's words are spoken. Source material is from speeches, letters, and quotes. Length of performance: 45 minutes.
2. Lincoln addresses the audience in the first person and gives context to a variety of speeches and letters. In addition, amusing anecdotes, quotes from Shakespeare and the Bible, and commentary about prominent people of the era are included. Length of performance: 75 minutes (approx.)
Howard Wright is Available to do Presentations for:
- adult groups
- historical societies
- school groups
- Civil War encampments
- parades
- Patriotic events