Lincoln expert speaking at UI celebration

You won't find James McPherson's name on a biography of Abraham Lincoln per se, but when the University of Illinois History Department was thinking of speakers to kick off a bicentennial celebration of the 16th president's birth, McPherson was at the top of the list.

The Civil War scholar and author – UI history Professor Bruce Levine calls him "the most sophisticated interpreter of Lincoln's presidency around" – will give the Lincoln Bicentennial Lecture, the first of a series of events spreading into next year, at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in the auditorium of the Alice Campbell Alumni Center, 601 S. Lincoln Ave., U.

Also on this date

• Composite sketch of suspect released
• Six UI faculty named University Scholars
• Amber alert canceled after two young children found safe
• Events set for return of program for seniors
• Kitchen fire causes $1,000 in damages
• Fee increase for Garfield Park pool on agenda
• Home expo attendance down a bit, but interest high
• Herb Society extends grant deadline
• Champaign schools planning group seeks public input
• Obituaries

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