Patrick Spero

Patrick Spero Profile Photo

Executive Director

Patrick Spero, Ph.D., is the Executive Director of the George Washington Presidential Library. Prior to his current role, he served as Librarian and Director of the Library & Museum of the American Philosophical Society (APS) in Philadelphia. Previously, Spero served on the faculty of Williams College, teaching courses on the American Presidency, the American Revolution, early American history, and political leadership.

Spero is the author of Frontier Country: The Politics of War in Early Pennsylvania, Frontier Rebels: The Fight for Independence in the American West, and the forthcoming The Scientist Turned Spy: Andre Michaux, Thomas Jefferson, and the Conspiracy of 1793 and co-editor of The American Revolution Reborn: New Perspectives for the 21st Century.

In recognition of his scholarly and administrative accomplishments, he is an elected member of the Royal Historical Society (2023), the Academy of Arts in Science in Lyon, France (2023), the American Philosophical Society (2023), and the American Antiquarian Society (2023).

Spero received his BA from James Madison University and his Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania.

The Farewell Address
8
July 8, 2024

The Farewell Address

The publication of the Farewell Address was a momentous occasion for the young United States. In it, Washington established the most significant precedent of his presidency: the two-term limit. By giving up power, Washington ensured a peaceful transition for the next president. He sent the message that the presidency was not a lifetime appointment. And he did so willingly. In the final episode of Inventing the Presidency, we discuss Washington's final moments in office and reflect on his lead...
Guests: Tom Plott , Dr. Lindsay M. Chervinsky , Rick Atkinson , Patrick Spero , Ramin Ganeshram , Joseph M. Adelman , Sara Georgini , Peter Kastor , Anne Fertig, PhD , Curt Dahl
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The Whiskey Rebellion
4
April 22, 2024

The Whiskey Rebellion

The Whiskey Rebellion was an uprising in Western Pennsylvania protesting an unpopular tax. For George Washington, the rebellion held echoes of the revolution of days past. Except this time, the rebellion was against the new American government. Join Dr. Patrick Spero and Dr. Sandra Moats to learn about what started the Rebellion and how Washington’s decisions led to a peaceful solution. For free videos, lesson plans, and more, click here. Written and directed by Dr. Anne Fertig. Narrated b...
Guests: Patrick Spero , Sandra Moats , Anne Fertig, PhD , Curt Dahl
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The First Year
2
March 25, 2024

The First Year

After the first presidential inauguration in 1789, George Washington faced the daunting prospect of starting a presidency from scratch. Every action he took would set a precedent. Ramin Ganeshram, Dr. Sara Georgini, Dr. Sandra Moats, and Dr. Patrick Spero explain the challenges of Washington’s first year in office, from his levees and tours to the deadly illness that almost took his life.
Guests: Tom Plott , Patrick Spero , Sandra Moats , Ramin Ganeshram , Sara Georgini , Anne Fertig, PhD , Curt Dahl , Ann
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The Making of a President
1
March 11, 2024

The Making of a President

In the early days of June, 1787, in the thick of the Constitutional Convention, a debate unfolded that would test the fate of the young American nation. Four years after the end of the American Revolution, the United States still had no functioning Executive branch. The Convention sought a solution that would eventually create one of the most hallowed institutions of the United States government: the presidency. In this episode, join Rick Atkinson, Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky, Dr. Bruce Ragsdale, Dr. Patrick Spero, and Dr. Peter Kastor to explore the foundations of the American presidency and the first presidential election.
Guests: Tom Plott , Dr. Lindsay M. Chervinsky , Rick Atkinson , Patrick Spero , Bruce Ragsdale , Peter Kastor , Anne Fertig, PhD , Curt Dahl
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