Course

The Declaration of Independence is a peculiar thing. It’s a literary masterpiece written jointly by a committee of fifty people. It’s short and punchy—just 1310 words long—but still somehow daunting and difficult to get to grips with. What did people at the time make of it? What did it change? Why does it matter? In this course, historian Richard Bell, a specialist in the American Revolutionary era, explores the fascinating origins, misunderstood purpose, and extraordinary global legacy of the Declaration of Independence.

Faculty Bio 

Richard Bell is Professor of History at the University of Maryland and author of several books, most recently The American Revolution and the Fate of the World. His Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped into Slavery and their Astonishing Odyssey Home was a finalist for the George Washington Prize and the Harriet Tubman Prize.

 This is a Best of OLLI Course

• Best of OLLI courses are popular courses recorded a previous term
• Videos are available to watch the moment you sign up through August 31
• Available for $75 to Annual Plus, Premium Plus, Best of OLLI and Fee Assistance members. Learn about membership.
• Current Annual and Premium members can upgrade to Annual Plus or Premium Plus for an additional $10

Member Praise for Richard Bell

What a wonderful class and brilliant instructor! I loved Rick’s style of presentation = intense and dramatic. I’m so impressed with my fellow OLLIians = smart, informed, engaged. Everything worked for me.

​​I’m hooked on the drama of Rick’s lectures. He brings heat and humanity to his subjects.

After the first ten minutes of the first class, I turned to my husband, who had also signed up for the class, and said, “He is terrific!”

Faculty Q&A

• Read an interview with Richard Bell from our archive.