545. Stefan Schöberlein.

545. This week we chat with Stefan Schöberlein about his book, Walt Whitman's New Orleans: Sidewalk Sketches and Newspaper Rambles  Whitman in NOLA. "Walt Whitman’s short stint in New Orleans during the spring of 1848 was a crucial moment of literary and personal development, with many celebrated poems from Leaves of Grass showing its influence. Walt Whitman’s New Orleans is the first book dedicated to republishing his writings about the Crescent City, including numerous previously unknown pieces. Often spending his afternoons strolling through the vibrant city with his brother in tow, the young Whitman translated his impressions into short prose sketches that cataloged curious sights, captured typical characters one might meet on the levee, and joked about the strangeness of urban life.... Stefan Schöberlein is assistant professor of English and director of digital humanities at Marshall University, as well as a contributing editor to the Walt Whitman Archive. (LSU Pr). 

1. This week in Louisiana history. October 20, 1795. Work begins on Cabildo and Presbytere.
2. This week in New Orleans history. Mack Justin Spears was born in Wilson, Louisiana to Charlie and Mary Wheelock Spears, and attended elementary and secondary public schools in New Orleans. He held a Bachelor's degree from Dillard, a Master's degree from Xavier University, and a Doctorate in Education from Harvard University. During his career as an educator, he was a teacher, principal, visiting professor, university dean, and university professor of education. Dr. Spears was the first African American to become president of the Louisiana School Boards Association. He was also the first African American to serve on the Orleans Parish School Board. He was elected president seven times during his eighteen years on the board. Mack J. Spears died on October 28, 1988 after a lengthy illness
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   Louisiana River Road – All-American Road
   Distance: 773 miles
   Website
   Duration: One to two days for a self-guided tour of each area
   Side by side and decade after decade the Mississippi River and the Great River Road bring more people together with their history, culture and natural worlds than any other North American river and treasured road. The river and road have shaped the people and the land in this place.
   Entering into Louisiana across the Mississippi River from Vicksburg, a visitor will see traces of Grant’s Canal, dating to the American Civil War.   During the historic siege of Vicksburg, General U. S. Grant tried to divert the Mississippi River by cutting a canal at Lake Providence and using the bayous and rivers to bypass Vicksburg.  His attempt failed and it is the only time in military history a tactic such as this was employed.
   
4. Postcards from Louisiana. Brass band by Cafe du Monde.

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