James Madison Lecture Series: The Pursuit of Happiness with Jeffrey Rosen

The Wisconsin Historical Society and the Center for the Study of the American Constitution at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are excited to present the 2025 James Madison Lecture featuring Jeffrey Rosen, President and CEO of the National Constitution Center. Rosen is also a professor of law at the George Washington University Law School and a contributing editor of The Atlantic. He was previously the legal affairs editor of The New Republic and a staff writer for the New Yorker.

The Declaration of Independence identified “the pursuit of happiness” as one of our unalienable rights, along with life and liberty. Jeffrey Rosen, the president of the National Constitution Center, profiles six of the most influential founders—Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton—to show what pursuing happiness meant in their lives.

Rosen will present at the Brown County Central Library auditorium at 6 p.m. A pre-lecture reception with light refreshments will be held at 5 p.m. Space is limited; please arrive early to ensure seating.