The
Mt. Lebanon Public Library will host historian Sam Kidder on October 25 to discuss his book
Of One Blood All Nations: John Bingham: Ohio Congressman's Diplomatic Career in Meiji Japan (1873-1885) on October 25.
Join us for a lecture and book signing with local historian and linguist Sam Kidder. In his book, Of One Blood All Nations: John Bingham: Ohio Congressman's Diplomatic Career in Meiji Japan (1873-1885), Kidder brings a wealth of experience in Japan to bear on exploring the lesser-known role of Ohio Congressman John Bingham. Best known as the father of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees fundamental rights to all Americans, including those who were formerly enslaved, Bingham was also a key figure in forming the foundational, bilateral ties between the United States and Japan. Though his service occurred from 1873-1885, Bingham remains the longest-serving U.S. chief diplomat in Japan. Kidder’s detailed account of Bingham’s foreign service will be of interest to anyone wanting to know more about early diplomatic and cultural relations between the United States and Japan. Bingham was born and grew up in Mercer, PA and Kidder will discuss his connections to this region. Kidder's book will be available for purchase and signing at the event.
After graduating from Beloit, Kidder served as a Korean linguist in the U.S. Army, then earned his master’s degree in East Asian Studies from Harvard. He did advanced study in Asian history at the University of Washington and as a Fulbright grantee at Yonsei University, Seoul. As a foreign service officer, he had posts in Seoul, Tokyo, and New Delhi, and later served as executive director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan for eight years. Sam Kidder resides in Mt. Lebanon in Mission Hills.
The event runs from 1:30 to 2:30 pm in Meeting Room A at the Mt. Lebanon Public Library (
map); it will also run simultaneously on Zoom. Registration is required and
can be completed online.
