Cassius Clay - Emancipationist

In this episode, we dive into the early life and rise of Cassius Marcellus Clay, one of Kentucky’s most controversial and influential figures. Guest Professor Doug Cantrell joins us to explore Clay’s privileged upbringing, his education at Yale, and the ideological transformation that led him to become a staunch emancipationist in a deeply divided state.

We discuss Clay’s fiery newspaper The True American, his many duels and street fights, and how his courage—both intellectual and physical—earned him national fame. As a Southern aristocrat who fought slavery, Clay carved out a unique place in Kentucky and American history.