Portrait of a Port: A Maritime History of Boston
Join us for the opening event of Maritime Conversations, featuring Dr. William M. Fowler, Distinguished Professor of History Emeritus of Northeastern University, as he explores the story of the historic Port of Boston ahead of 250th anniversary of the nation's independence.
☕ Light food and refreshments will be provided
🎙️ Format: Presentation + Moderated conversation + audience Q&A
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About the Speaker:
Dr. William M. Fowler is Distinguished Professor of History Emeritus at Northeastern University. His connection to Northeastern University spans over six decades, beginning when he enrolled as a first-generation college student in 1962 and earned his bachelor's degree in 1967. After completing his M.A. and PhD at the University of Notre Dame, he returned to Northeastern in 1971 as an assistant professor of history, eventually becoming acting associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences in 1977, a full professor in 1980, and chair of the History Department from 1993–1997, with stints in administrative roles including assistant to the vice president and vice provost for undergraduate education along the way.
During his time as a professor, he taught courses on the History of Boston, Maritime History, and the History of New England. As an alumnus, he served as president of the Alumni Association and as a board of trustees overseer, chaired a mid-1980s fundraising campaign that raised over $1.5 million for the construction of Snell Library, received the 1994 Outstanding Alumni Award, and was granted an honorary degree in Humane Letters in 2000. From 1998 to 2005, Dr. Fowler served as Director of the Massachusetts Historical Society.
A prolific scholar of American history, he has authored numerous books on naval, revolutionary, and early American history, and has lectured at prestigious institutions including the Smithsonian and the U.S. Naval War College, while also serving as a trustee or member of several historical and cultural organizations across New England.
About Maritime Conversations:
Explore the maritime innovations and strategies that shaped U.S. history and define today's most urgent security challenges through a four-part series with the sharpest minds in maritime history and geopolitics. The series will be moderated by Northeastern University's Dr. Scott Knowles, Senior Director of Research at the Defense Industrial Base Institute (DIBI) and Research Professor of History in the College of Social Sciences and Humanities (CSSH).
All Northeastern students, faculty, staff, and outside guests are encouraged to register. Free to attend.
Other talks in the series – register to attend:
Thursday, April 9: The Free and Open Indo-Pacific: Minilateralism and Security Cooperation in Northeast Asia with Matthew Fleming. 909 Renaissance Park, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Thursday, April 16: Keeping the USS Constitution Afloat: Maritime Conservation and Public History with Margherita M. Desy. 909 Renaissance Park, 12 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Wednesday, April 22: Liberty Ships, Then and Now with Doug Most. 909 Renaissance Park, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
About DIBI:
This event series is hosted by the Defense Industrial Base Institute (DIBI) at Northeastern University, a solutions engine that transforms America's defense industrial base. DIBI connects research, capital, and coalitions to deliver results at scale vital to deterrence and safeguarding America's freedom and prosperity. Learn more about the institute at dibi.northeastern.edu.