Peter Bridges discussed his new book, Pen of Fire: John Moncure Daniel (Kent State University Press,2002), the first full-length biography of Confederate champion John Moncure Daniel, at the Library of Congress Monday, November 18.

During his short and stormy life, John Moncure Daniel (1825-1865) served as a U.S. diplomat (American envoy to the kingdom of Sardinia at Turin), journalist, Confederate officer and the "conscience of the Confederacy." Strongly pro-slavery, fiercely loyal to the cause of the South, and outspoken, he made many enemies. As editor of the Richmond Examiner, he pushed successfully for the secession of Virginia and attacked Jefferson Davis as timid, incompetent and corrupt. Daniel fought several duels and died in Richmond in March 1865 after being wounded wounded in 1864 in a duel with the Treasurer of the Confederacy, E.C. Elmore.

Part of the Center for the Book's Books and Beyond author series, the program was co-sponsored with the Newspaper Section of the Library's Serial and Government Publications Division.