Drs. Marlene Daut and Julia Gaffield to Illuminate Haitian Independence in Second 2025-2026 Read the Revolution Speaker Series Event, Feb. 25

Lecture on recent biographies will highlight Haitian Revolutionaries, 250th anniversary of United States Declaration of Independence for Black History Month 

Dr. Julia Gaffield, Associate Professor of History at William & Mary, and Dr. Marlene L. Daut, Professor of French and African Diaspora Studies at Yale University, will join the Museum on Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 6:30 p.m., to present the second public program in the Museum’s 2025-2026 Read the Revolution Speaker Series. The hybrid lecture and discussion, inspired by their recent biographies on Haitian Revolutionaries, coincides with the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026 and the Museum’s new special exhibition, The Declaration’s Journey, presented by Griffin Catalyst. 

Gaffield, who also served on the Scholarly Committee for The Declaration’s Journey, will discuss what the first four months of independence were like from the perspective of its first political leader in I Have Avenged America: Jean-Jacques Dessalines and Haiti’s Fight for Freedom. Daut will illustrate how Dessalines’s successor, Henry Christophe, became Haiti’s only king in The First and Last King of Haiti: The Rise and Fall of Henry Christophe.  

Citing archival discoveries in Haiti and globally, Daut and Gaffield will reflect on how, after declaring independence, these formerly enslaved leaders defined freedom and shaped a legacy for a new nation. Following the presentation, Museum President and CEO Dr. R. Scott Stephenson will host an interview conversation and facilitate a live Q&A with both onsite and online audiences. Opening remarks for the event will be given by Alain Joinville, Director of Strategic Communications and Programs, City of Philadelphia’s Office of Immigrant Affairs.  

“As the child of Haitian immigrants, I am deeply honored to open this conversation about Haiti’s fight for freedom and its enduring global impact,” Joinville said. “The Haitian Revolution was not only a defining moment for Haiti, but also a powerful assertion of universal liberty that resonates with the ideals celebrated in the American Revolution. This event reminds us that the struggle for independence and equality has always been interconnected, and it is vital to uplift these stories during Black History Month and as we approach the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.” 

Doors open at 6 p.m. for onsite guests to see a featured artifact from the Museum collection, enjoy refreshments at a cash bar, and purchase signed copies of the featured books. Guests with onsite tickets are invited to arrive early to view The Declaration’s Journey from 5:15 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets can be purchased here.  

The Museum’s Read the Revolution Speaker Series brings celebrated authors and historians to the Museum for lively discussions of their work. Now in its ninth season, the series is based on the Museum’s national Read the Revolution bi-monthly e-newsletters, which feature excerpts from thought-provoking books to inspire learning about the American Revolution.  

About Dr. Julia Gaffield 

Julia Gaffield is an Associate Professor of History at William & Mary and is the Interim Editor of the William and Mary Quarterly. She is the author of Haitian Connections in the Atlantic World: Recognition after Revolution (UNC, 2015) and I Have Avenged America: Jean-Jacques Dessalines and Haiti's Fight for Freedom (Yale, 2025). 

About Dr. Marlene L. Daut 

An award-winning author, scholar, and professor specializing in Haitian history and culture, Marlene L. Daut's most recent book, The First and Last King of Haiti: The Rise and Fall of Henry Christophe (Knopf, 2025), explores the fascinating life of Haiti’s only king while delving into the complex history of a 19th-century Caribbean monarchy. Her other books include Tropics of Haiti: Race and the Literary History of the Haitian Revolution in the Atlantic World (Liverpool UP, 2015); Baron de Vastey and the Origins of Black Atlantic Humanism (Palgrave, 2017); and Awakening the Ashes: An Intellectual History of the Haitian Revolution (UNC Press, 2023), co-winner of the Frederick Douglass Book Prize. 

About Museum of the American Revolution  

The Museum of the American Revolution uncovers and shares compelling stories about the diverse people and complex events that sparked America’s ongoing experiment in liberty, equality, and self-government. Through the Museum’s unmatched collection, immersive galleries, powerful theater experiences, and interactive elements, visitors gain a deeper appreciation for how this nation came to be and feel inspired to consider their role in ensuring that the promise of the American Revolution endures. Located just steps away from Independence Hall, the Museum serves as a portal to the region’s many Revolutionary sites, sparking interest, providing context, and encouraging exploration. The Museum, which opened on April 19, 2017, is an independent, non-profit, and non-partisan organization. For more information, visit www.AmRevMuseum.org or call 877.740.1776.