Imperfect Men

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...

On this episode, Cody and Steve discuss the second most famous but least traitorous son of Norwich, Connecticut, Samuel Huntington, as well as the weird names of the time. Sources ·        Gerlach, Larry R. Connecticut Congressman: Samuel Huntington, 1731-96 . Hartford, CT: Bicentennial Commission, 1977. ·        Klos,...

On this episode, Steve and Cody try to kill time because there is next to nothing on Charles Humphreys. Sources ·        Ashmead, Henry Graham. History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania . Philadelphia, PA: L.H. Everts & Co., 1884. ·        Hawk, Dave. “1780 Slave Register for Chester County, Pennsylvania.” Chester C...

On this episode, Steve and Cody discuss the second convention attendee who did not sign the Constitution named William Houstoun. Sources ·        Duncan-Johnston, Edith. The Houstouns of Georgia . Athens, GA: U. of Georgia Press, 1950. ·        See pinned post on Bluesky for general sources Hosted on Acast. See acast.c...

On this episode, Cody and Steve speculate on what might have been a much more significant life, that of Professor William Churchill Houston, and debate the ethics of correcting tour guides. Sources ·        Glenn, Thomas A. William Churchill Houston, 1746-88 . Norristown, PA: Privately printed, 1903. ·        Long, Joe...

On this episode, Cody and Steve try to pry loose some details about the mysterious Titus Hosmer and trying out a new theme tune for the show. Sources ·        "An elegy on the late Honorable Titus Hosmer, Esq; one of the counsellors of the state of Connecticut, a member of Congress, and a judge of the maritime court of appeals for the United States of Americ...

On this episode, Cody and Steve discuss the oft-overlooked patriot behind some of this country’s greatest symbols, Francis Hopkinson. Sources ·        Hastings, George E. The Life and Works of Francis Hopkinson . Chicago, IL: U. of Chicago Press, 1926. ·        Mastai, Boleslaw; Mastai, Marie-Louise d’Otrange. The Star...

On this episode, Cody and Steve talk about the cantankerous old sea dog, Stephen Hopkins. Sources ·        Bamberg, Cherry F., et al. (January 2012). “The Slaves of Gov. Stephen Hopkins.” New England Genealogical Register . 33: 11-27. ·        Bicknell, Thomas W. The History of the State of Rhode Island and Providence...

On this episode, Cody and Steve discuss the possibly closet Loyalist, William Hooper. And Jaws . And Farscape . And Sliders . Podcast to recommend: Prime Factors ( Prime Factors - Ranking UK Prime Ministers | Joe & Abram ) Sources ·        Engstrom, Mary C. “William Hooper.” NCpedia . State Library of North Carolina, Jul 2023. <https://www.ncpedia.org...