Cassius Clay - The Lion of White Hall

In part two, Professor Doug Cantrell returns to discuss Cassius Clay’s political career, his diplomatic service under President Abraham Lincoln, and his lasting legacy as a progressive voice in a conservative time. From defending emancipation to serving as Ambassador to Russia, Clay’s fearless pursuit of justice took him far beyond Kentucky.

We also explore his later years, including his shifting views, controversial statements, and the complex contradictions that defined his long life. Was he a hero, a radical, or something in between? This episode unpacks the myth and legacy of the man once called “The Lion of White Hall.”