Last weekend, my husband Bert and I attended the Napoleonic Historical Society’s annual conference. Held this year in Baltimore, Maryland, the agenda included lectures on Napoleonic topics as well as NHS president Sheperd Paine’s excellent overview of the War of 1812, in which the Baltimore region played a part. (Francis Scott Key wrote the Star Spangled Banner about a battle at nearby Fort McHenry.)
The conference provided an opportunity to socialize with other Napoleon enthusiasts. Each person had their own story of how Napoleon became a passion in their lives. Although some people focused on warfare, most frequently it came down to fascination with the man himself: his complexity, his genius, his innovation in military, political and civil matters, the drama of his life story. I was particularly thrilled to meet J. David Markham whose Napoleon 101 podcast series I have enjoyed for several years.
This photograph of my husband and me was taken during the conference’s private tour of the USS Constellation in Baltimore Harbor, prior to the black tie dinner. Our friend, Victor Eiser, in fabulous nineteenth-century French Royal Marine uniform, participates in reenactments worldwide.
If you’re interested in Napoleon, for just $20 you can join the Napoleonic Historical Society and receive their newsletters. Then consider attending next year’s conference in Gettysburg.
I am intensely interested in the activities of the Napoleonic Historical Society and in the forthcoming book. there is an exhibition now at the MuseoNapoleonico in Rome of the work of Chaim Koppelman called “Napoleon Entering New York” and I think it could be part of your series. Chaim Koppelman became interested in Napioleon at the age of nine! Ands he was encouraged through his study of Aesthetic Realsm with its founder, the poet and critic Eli Siegel. Incidentally, Eli Siegel was born in Baltimore and in 2005 Baltitmore held an Eli Siegel Day. Koppelman also designed a memorial plaque for Eli Siegel installed in Druid Hil Park , Baltimore.l.
The principle of Aesthetic Realism, “All beauty is a making one of opposites and the making one of opposites is what we are after in ourselves,” .The works in the Rome exhibition were encouraged and an exploration of Mr. Siegel’s explanation of Napoleon as both a man of the people, a democrat and a man after Power an Emperor.
I would appreciate further discussion with you and the Napoleonic Society, Sincerely, Dorothy Koppelman
Hello, Dorothy,
Thank you so much for your comments. I went to the website of the Museo Napoleonico. How I wish I could get to Rome to see the exhibit! I am indeed going to do more research on the work of Chaim Koppelman–it sounds fascinating. Do you have any sources you suggest? Once again, I find that the topic of Napoleon is never ending!
Please do go to the Napoleonic Historical Society’s website. There will be a meeting next September in Gettysburg,Pennsylvania. Perhaps I’ll meet you there.
All the best,
Margaret
Dear Ms. Rotenberg, I am encouraged by your answer. I am trying ti register for the 2012 Gettysberg conference, but have been unsuccessful thus far. Perhaps it will work out, and Ihope to speak more with you about the new way of seeing Napoleon that Chaim learned from his study of Aesthetic Realism with its founder, Eli Siegel. Mr. Siegel saw the emperor with a new depth and really deals with that”mass of contradictions you speak of. I respect your seeing. Dorothy Koppelman
Dear Ms. Rotenberg, We are ever closer to the Gettysburg conference. I am hoping to bring the beautiful catalogue of the exhibition Napoleon Entering New York, And I am hoping too to take part in the five minute talk about the show. there are websites: http://www.ChaimKoppelman.net and the NapoleonicMuseum has the show on Flickr
.AestheticRealism.org can give a wider picture ofthe philosophy Aesthetic Realism.
I’m looking forward to seeing you at the Gettysburg NHS conference!
Dear Ms. Rotenberg, I am in the midst of trying to make arrangements for September l4th and l5th. The Gettysburg Hotel is fully booked, so I am being referred to a hotel nearbyl I hope to get to Gettysburg by going first to Harisburg by train and then by car to the Hotel. My colleague and Iwill bring the fine Italian/English catalogue, and perhpas some print to show.
Your comment about a Blitz session encouraged me to think about saying something, and I hope that can be too. Looking forward to seeing you and taking part in this most interesting endeavor. Dorothy K