Happy Hour: Discovering Faulkner’s American South in 1990s Pakistan with Dr. Saima Sherazi

Sponsored by the ESU Central Pennsylvania Branch The 1990s found agrarian societies in Pakistan undergoing profound transitions, not unlike the American South in the first part of the twentieth century. William Faulkner’s “The Sound and the Fury” captures the stark confrontation between waning Southern aristocracy (the Compson family) and the ascendant middle class represented by […]

Happy Hour: The Great Siege of Malta and the Fate of Empires

Sixteenth century European historians will find this ESU Happy Hour fascinating and one of tremendous significance. The Great Siege of Malta, a four-month battle from May 18 to September 11, 1565, is considered one of the most ferocious conflicts in military history. Rarely have the odds been so unequal and the stakes so high. In […]

Happy Hour: C.S. Lewis and the Powerful Predicament of Language

C.S. Lewis (1898-1963) was one of the intellectual giants of the twentieth century and arguably one of the most influential writers of his day. Lewis wrote more than thirty books, reaching a vast audience and attracting thousands of new readers every year. In his last, best novel, C. S. Lewis gives voice to a potent […]

Happy Hour: Exploring Churchill’s Public Service Through Period Memorabilia Language

2024 marks the 150th birth anniversary of Sir Winston Churchill with events planned throughout the year which celebrate and explore his remarkable public service and enduring legacy. Brian E. Krapf, is recognized internationally as an authority on the memorabilia made during Sir Winston’s public service, which spanned over 65 years. Mr. Krapf has recently published A […]

ESU 2024 Patron Trip: A Private View of Italy

A Private View of Italy – Our Italian Partner and Host Founded by art historian Count Stefano Aluffi-Pentini in 1996, A Private View of Italy encourages guests to appreciate the life of historic palaces and villas, and allows them to discover the inaccessible treasures that are hidden behind closed doors. Through the centuries the Italian […]

Happy Hour: The Life and Times of Margaret (Molly) Brown

An overview of the life and legacy of Margaret Tobin Brown, activist, WWI volunteer in France, philanthropist, and suffragist whose 1889 home, shown above, is an historic museum in downtown Denver, CO. Though known to many as “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” due to surviving the sinking of R.M.S. Titanic in 1912, Margaret’s legacy is presented […]

Happy Hour: Courting the Virgin Queen: Queen Elizabeth I and Her Suitors

Sponsored by the ESU Sandhills Branch Her birth in 1533 came as a result of one of the most controversial marriages in royal history, that of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. Little Princess Elizabeth lost her status as legitimate heir to the throne before she was three years old when her father moved on to […]

Happy Hour: Four Award-Winning Poets Share Their Love of Poetry

Sponsored by the ESU New York City Branch Poetry tugs at our emotions and affects each of us differently. Listening to versus reading poetry can create different images and thoughts even for the same poem. Join this special ESU Happy Hour when we bring four award-winning poets together to share their love of poetry—Karen Karpowich, […]

Happy Hour: History of Christmas Carols

Sponsored by the ESU Central Pennsylvania Branch During this Christmas season, Christmas carolers bring the holiday season to life. Join this special Happy Hour and learn how this Christmas tradition began and changed over time. Beginning with Roman times, carols emerged from songs sung during the four seasons. During the Middle Ages, minstrels played carols. […]

Happy Hour: I Stole a Monet for My Client

This ESU Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU Sandhills, NC Branch. ESU Happy Hour programs are online, free, and open to all members and the public. Registration is required. Join this fascinating Happy Hour with guest speaker Debra Rhodes Smith who has written a memoir of anecdotes during her 34-year career as a certified […]

ESU 2025 Founder’s Award Gala Honoring Dr. E. Quinn Peeper

Winter Park Racquet Club 2111 Via Tuscany, Winter Park, Florida, United States

The English-Speaking Union Founder’s Award Gala Honoring Dr. E. Quinn Peeper ESU National Chairman His Britannic Majesty’s Honorary Consul to Louisiana Saturday, March 15, 2025 Winter Park Racquet Club Winter Park, Florida 2025 Honoree: Dr. E. Quinn PeeperWe are pleased to announce Dr. E. Quinn Peeper will be honored with the ESU 2025 Founder’s Award. […]