Lecture—Rebels at Sea: Privateering in the American Revolution

Independent historian Eric Jay Dolin explores American privateers during the American Revolution. The heroic story of the founding of the U.S. Navy during the Revolution has been told before, yet missing from most maritime histories of the war is the ragtag fleet of private vessels that truly revealed the new nation’s character―above all, its ambition and entrepreneurial ethos. Drawing from his research, Dolin corrects that significant omission and contends that privateers, though often seen as profiteers at best and pirates at worst, were in fact critical to the Revolution’s outcome. This program accompanies our upcoming exhibition, Voices of Revolution, on view from February 28, 2026 through January 10, 2027.

This registration is for in-person attendance at Anderson House only. To attend the program virtually, please click here.