Imperfect Men

On this salacious episode, Cody and Steve discuss James Lovell, teacher, prisoner, and lothario who lusted after Abigail Adams. Sources Gelles, Edith B. “A Virtuous Affair: The Correspondence Between Abigail Adams and James Lovell.” American Quarterly 39, no. 2 (1987): 252–69. <https://doi.org/10.2307/2712912>. Retrieved 24 Aug 2026. Jones, Helen F. James Lovell in the Continental Congress,...

On this episode, Cody and Steve conclude the trilogy of Livingstons with William Livingston and express their frustrations with Ridley Scott. Totally related, we assure you. Sources ·        Gigantino, James. William Livingston’s American Revolution . Philadelphia, PA: U. of Pennsylvania Press, 2018. ·        Klein, Mi...

On this episode, Cody and Steve dive further into the Livingston family as they discuss Robert R. Livingston and whether or not Emperor Palpatine paid income taxes. Sources ·        Benton, Geoff. “The Chancellor’s War.” Friends of Clermont State Historic Site . 9 Jun 2026. <https://www.friendsofclermont.org/post/chancellors-war>. Retrieved 14 Jul 2026...

On this episode, Steve and Cody begin a trilogy of Livingstons with Philip Livingston, a scion of Livingston Manor, philanthropist, possible goldfish, and all-around nasty dude. Sources ·        Brandt, Clare. An American Aristocracy: The Livingstons . New York City, NY: Doubleday, 1986. ·        Liao, Sharon. “’A Merc...

On this episode, Cody and Steve talk about the Eeyore of the Revolution, Francis Lewis. Sources ·        Burlingham, Charles Culp. Francis Lewis: One of the New York Signers of the Declaration of Independence . New York City, NY: New York Historical Society, 1926. ·        See General Sources page on the website for ad...

On this episode, Cody and Steve discuss Francis Lightfoot Lee, a man firmly in the ranks of lesser brothers with Frank Stallone, Billy Carter, Roger Clinton, Donal Gibson, and Neil Connery. Sources ·        Jones, Sarah L. “Menokin Foundation Summer 2004 Research Report.” Research paper, Yale U., 2004. <https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5f0dc027e6ecb...

On this episode, Cody and Steve discuss semipro wrestler Henry Laurens, the only American ever held in the Tower of London. Sources ·        McDonough, Daniel J. Christopher Gadsen and Henry Laurens: The Parallel Lives of Two American Patriots . Sellinsgrove, Pa.: Susquehanna U. Press, 2000. ·        Neville, Gabriel....

*In best Robert Stack voice:* This week on Imperfect Men : John Lansing, respected public figure and principled opponent of the Constitution, walks out of his hotel to send a letter and is never seen again. Did he fall in the river and accidentally drown, or was he the victim of a vast conspiracy he was trying to uncover? Sources ·        Kaminski, John P, e...

On this special episode, Cody and Steve discuss the early celebrations of American Independence Day, the long journey of the Declaration of Independence, and reflect upon some memories from the 4th of July. Sources ·        Armitage, David. The Declaration of Independence: A Global History . Cambridge, MA: Harvard U. Press, 2007. ·    &nb...

On this episode, Steve and Cody talk about the foundling Din Djar-...er, no, the foundling Edward Langworthy. Sources ·        Freeman, Michael. “Edward Langworthy: Rags to Riches Patriot.” Freeman’s Rag . 22 Jun 2022. <https://www.freemansrag.com/historical-ruminations/edward-langworthy-rags-to-riches-patriot>. Retrieved 19 May 2026. ·  &nbs...

On this episode, Cody and Steve talk about John Lansing, the Leonidas of the Revolution (and yes, we mean the 300 Leonidas, not the actual Leonidas). Sources ·        Mayo, Lawrence Shaw. John Langdon of New Hampshire . Port Washington, NY: Kennikat Press, 1937. ·        Page, Elwin L. “The King’s Powder, 1774.” The Ne...

On this episode, Cody and Steve lament the lack of authentic portraits for state Chief Justices as they discuss the principled Quaker from New Jersey, James Kinsey. Sources ·        Smith, Dan. “James Kinsey.” Historic Burlington City, NJ . 1 Mar 1997. <https://burlington1677.blogspot.com/2011/09/james-kinsey.html>. Retrieved 5 May 2026. ·  &...

On this episode, Steve and Cody discuss the persistent nominee and 18th century doppelganger of Larry Fine, Rufus King. Sources ·        Arbena, Joseph L. "Politics or Principle? Rufus King and the Opposition to Slavery, 1785-1825.'' Essex Institute Historical Collections 101 (January 1965): 56-77. ·        Ernst, Robe...

On this episode, Steve and Cody discuss William Samuel Johnson, the legal genius and educator that guided the final text of the Constitution. Sources ·        Groce, Jr., George C. William Samuel Johnson: A Maker of the Constitution . New York City, NY: AMS Press, 1937. ·        McCaughey, Elizabeth P. From Loyalist to...

This week's episode keeps us in Maryland and follows up the weirdest signer's name with the blandest signer's name, Thomas Johnson. Sources ·        Amt, Emilie. 2018. “Slavery at Rose Hill, Frederick, Maryland.” Research paper, Hood College. <https://emilieamt.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Slavery-at-Rose-Hill-Manor-Frederick.pdf>. Retrieved 3 Mar 20...

On this episode, Cody and Steve talk about the weirdly named signer who loved big cuffs, Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer. Sources ·        Farrell, Joe, et al. Graves of Our Founders: Their Lives, Contributions, and Burial Sites . Mechanicsburg, PA: Sunbury Press, 2018. ·        See General Sources page on website Hosted...

On this episode, Steve and Cody conclude their discussion on the Thomas Jefferson, the Sage of Monticello, and tackle the controversies surrounding his legacy. Sources ·        Crawford, Alan Pell. Twilight at Monticello: The Final Years of Thomas Jefferson . New York City, NY: Random House, 2008. ·        Ellis, Josep...

On the first installment of this two-parter, Cody and Steve discuss one of the giants of the Revolution, Thomas Jefferson, and go off on too many tangents to count. Sources ·        Crawford, Alan Pell. Twilight at Monticello: The Final Years of Thomas Jefferson . New York City, NY: Random House, 2008. ·        Ellis,...

On this episode, Cody and Steve discuss the founder to whom all other Chief Justices are measured, John Marshall. Sources ·        Currie, David. The Constitution in the Supreme Court: The First Hundred Years, 1789-1888. Chicago, IL: U. of Chicago Press, 1992. ·        Hobson, Charles F. The Great Chief Justice: John M...

On this week's episode, Cody and Steve discuss the ambassador/Chief Justice/governor multitasker, John Jay. Sources ·        Bemis, Samuel Flagg. Jay’s Treaty: A Study in Commerce and Diplomacy . New Haven, CT: Yale U. Press, 1923. ·        Bemis, Samuel Flagg & Ferrell, Robert H. The American Secretaries of State...

On this special episode, Cody and Steve go back through with updated information and re-score the subjects that need it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode, Cody and Steve discuss the only non-delegate to sign the Constitution and the Barry Bonds of the Convention, the secretary William Jackson. Sources ·        Fore, Samuel K. "William Jackson." In The Digital Encyclopedia of George Washington , edited by Zoie Horecny and Alexandra Montgomery. Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, 2012–. <https:...

On this special episode, Cody and Steve talk about the sights seen during their November 2025 trip to Philadelphia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this first episode of America's semiquincentennial year, Steve and Cody discuss the ur-lawyer and Count Dooku in disguise, Jared Ingersoll. Sources ·        Peters, Thom. “From the Archives…” Views from the Hill (Fall 2009). Hopkins School. <https://bbk12e1-cdn.myschoolcdn.com/ftpimages/82/misc/misc_71333.pdf>. Retrieved 28 Oct 2025. ·  &n...

On this final episode of 2025, Steve and Cody discuss Richard Hutson, his relationship to a ghost, and discuss what's ahead for 2026. Sources ·        O’Neall, John B. Biographical Sketches of the Bench and Bar in South Carolina . Charleston, SC: Courtenay & Co., 1859. ·        Hutson, William M. “The Hutson Family...