This course will explore the fascinating lives of some of our most (or not) memorable Massachusetts governors.  It will highlight stories related to: John Hancock, our first governor and general bon vivant; Samuel Adams, lately known better for his beer; Caleb Strong, the longest serving governor; John Andrew, our Civil War governor and very bad bookkeeper; Edward Everett, the other guy at the dedication of the Gettysburg cemetery; Benjamin Butler, the 'beast' and insulter of Southern womanhood; Calvin Coolidge, whose actions during a Boston crisis catapulted him to the U.S. presidency; and James Michael Curley, whose term as governor was called 'a disaster, mitigated only by moments of farce'.

Each participant will be required to do a three-to-five-minute presentation on an elected governor not covered in the lectures. Selections will be made at the first class, and presentations will be made in classes 2, 3, and 4. The final session will be a tour of the Massachusetts State House.