Is Washington actually a swamp? Why did the founders build their capital here? In what ways has swampiness helped and hurt the city's growth? Edward "Ted" Widmer is a historian, author and former presidential speechwriter. His career spans the worlds of academia, politics and journalism. He was appointed Director of The John W. Kluge Center in September 2016. The Center invites distinguished scholars from around the world to conduct research at the Library of Congress, facilitates their access to the Library's remarkable collections, and engages them in conversation with members of the U.S. Congress and other public figures. This event costs $25 and includes lunch.