History

American Masters

American Masters, committed to producing comprehensive film biographies about the broad cast of characters who comprise our cultural history.

Thomas Wiggins: Composing the Future [ASL + OC]

13m 31s

This version contains on-screen ASL interpretation and open captions. An African American composer and pianist known as one of the greatest musicians of the 19th century, Thomas Wiggins (1849-1908) was blind from birth and likely autistic. Although born into slavery, Wiggins was the first African American to perform at the White House, and toured throughout the U.S., South America, and Europe.

Episodes

  • Julia Alvarez: A Life Reimagined: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Julia Alvarez: A Life Reimagined

    S38 E5 - 1h 23m

    Explore the story of Dominican-American poet and novelist Julia Alvarez, who burst onto the literary scene and blazed a trail for a generation of Latino authors.

  • Blake Edwards: A Love Story in 24 Frames: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Blake Edwards: A Love Story in 24 Frames

    S38 E4 - 1h 23m

    Explore the story of director, screenwriter and producer Blake Edwards, known for cinema classics such as “Breakfast at Tiffany's,” “Days of Wine and Roses” and the “Pink Panther” series.

  • The Incomparable Mr. Buckley: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Incomparable Mr. Buckley

    S38 E3 - 1h 40m

    Discover the intellectual evolution and political legacy of William F. Buckley, Jr. See how the author and commentator, one of the foremost public intellectuals in American history, galvanized the modern conservative movement.

  • Moynihan: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Moynihan

    S38 E2 - 1h 43m

    Discover the life and legacy of former U.S. Senator and diplomat Daniel Patrick Moynihan. Going beyond the “Moynihan Report,” President Joe Biden, Ta-Nehisi Coates and others reflect on his decades-long fight to end national poverty.

  • HOPPER: An American love story: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    HOPPER: An American love story

    S38 E1 - 53m 3s

    Discover the secrets behind Edward Hopper’s most iconic and enigmatic works. Known for “Nighthawks” and other evocative paintings of American life, Hopper has left a lasting impression on our culture. Meet the man behind the brush, and see how his marriage to fellow artist Josephine Nivison Hopper shaped his art and career.

Extras + Features

  • Blake Edwards: A Love Story in 24 Frames (EAD + OC Trailer): asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Blake Edwards: A Love Story in 24 Frames (EAD + OC Trailer)

    S38 E4 - 2m 37s

    Explore the story of director, screenwriter and producer Blake Edwards, known for cinema classics such as “Breakfast at Tiffany's,” “Days of Wine and Roses” and the “Pink Panther” series. This version of the trailer contains extended audio description and open captions.

  • Buckley's Yale criticism fueled the conservative movement: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Buckley's Yale criticism fueled the conservative movement

    S38 E3 - 1m 47s

    William F. Buckley, Jr. was tapped to speak at the Alumni Day Speech at Yale University in 1950. However, Yale administration feared his outspoken criticism of the university and asked Buckley to pare back his speech. Buckley refused and later wrote a book about his experiences at the school.

  • When William F. Buckley, Jr. ran for mayor of New York City: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    When William F. Buckley, Jr. ran for mayor of New York City

    S38 E3 - 2m 56s

    In an effort to drive votes away from "liberal Republican" John Lindsay, William F. Buckley, Jr. ran for mayor of New York City under the Conservative Party. The columnist Pete Hamill said of Buckley at the time, "This is the first person we've ever seen in politics with a genuinely original mind."

  • The Incomparable Mr. Buckley: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Incomparable Mr. Buckley

    S38 E3 - 2m 31s

    Discover the intellectual evolution and political legacy of William F. Buckley, Jr. See how the author and commentator, one of the foremost public intellectuals in American history, galvanized the modern conservative movement.

  • The Incomparable Mr. Buckley (AD + ASL + OC Trailer): asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Incomparable Mr. Buckley (AD + ASL + OC Trailer)

    S38 E3 - 2m 47s

    Discover the intellectual evolution and political legacy of William F. Buckley, Jr. See how the author and commentator, one of the foremost public intellectuals in American history, galvanized the modern conservative movement. This version contains audio description, open captions and ASL interpretation.

  • William F. Buckley, Jr.'s relationship with wife Patricia: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    William F. Buckley, Jr.'s relationship with wife Patricia

    S38 E3 - 2m 5s

    William F. Buckley, Jr. and his wife Patricia had a brazen, but loving relationship. The two "annoyed each other intensely and absolutely adored each other." They held grand parties at their home with many distinguished guests.

  • Exclusive Preview: Who was William F. Buckley, Jr.?: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Exclusive Preview: Who was William F. Buckley, Jr.?

    S38 E3 - 10m 12s

    Watch the first ten minutes of The Incomparable Mr. Buckley in this sneak preview. Discover how political commentator William F. Buckley, Jr. galvanized the modern conservative movement. The preeminent public intellectual grew up on a sprawling estate in Sharon, Connecticut, where his father's own idea of pedagogy had a lasting impact on his future ideals.

  • 5 Firing Line moments that are still relevant today: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    5 Firing Line moments that are still relevant today

    S38 E3 - 15m 34s

    William F. Buckley, Jr. hosted Firing Line for 33 years. During his tenure as host, he debated a number of influential public figures on topics ranging from comedy to imperialism. This compliation shows Buckley in conversation with five of his most memorable guests on matters that are still important today.

  • Explaining the "Moynihan Report": asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Explaining the "Moynihan Report"

    S38 E2 - 6m 3s

    In 1965, Daniel Patrick Moynihan released his report on the Black family, titled "The Negro Family: The Case for National Action." Through structural and cultural analysis, the "Moynihan Report," as it was known colloquially, detailed "the deterioration of the fabric of Negro society is the deterioration of the Negro family." The report caused controversy upon its release.

  • Moynihan (EAD + ASL + OC Trailer): asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Moynihan (EAD + ASL + OC Trailer)

    S38 E2 - 5m 45s

    Discover the life and legacy of former U.S. Senator and diplomat Daniel Patrick Moynihan. Going beyond the “Moynihan Report,” President Joe Biden, Ta-Nehisi Coates and others reflect on his decades-long fight to end national poverty. This version contains extended audio description, open captions and ASL interpretation.

  • Daniel Patrick Moynihan on going "beyond the melting pot": asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Daniel Patrick Moynihan on going "beyond the melting pot"

    S38 E2 - 2m 40s

    In 1963, Daniel Patrick Moynihan and sociologist Nathan Glazer published their book, "Beyond the Melting Pot," which transformed how ethnicity was viewed in America, from a homogenized country to one of jostling ethnic groups.

Schedule

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