Law

Liberty and the Constitution in the Work of Lysander Spooner

ABSTRACT

Lysander Spooner (1808–1887) was a radical abolitionist, lawyer, entrepreneur, and legal theorist. Above all, he was a champion of liberty whose writings still resonate today. Organized to coincide with the bicentennial of his birth, this conference explored Spooner’s writings on the US Constitution, particularly his distinctive approach to constitutional interpretation, construction, and legitimacy.

READING LIST

Conference Readings

Spooner, Lysander. No Treason. No. VI. The Constitution of No Authority. Boston: Lysander Spooner, 1870.

Spooner, Lysander. “The Unconstitutionality of Slavery.” Online Library of Liberty. http://oll.libertyfund.org/?option=com_staticxt&staticfile=show.php%3Ftitle=2206&Itemid=27 (Aug. 15, 2012).

Spooner, Lysander. “The Unconstitutionality of the Laws of Congress, Prohibiting Private Mails.” LysanderSpooner.org. http://lysanderspooner.org/node/21 (Aug. 15, 2012).

Spooner, Lysander. “No Treason, No. 1.” LysanderSpooner.org. http://lysanderspooner.org/node/44 (Aug. 15, 2012).

Spooner, Lysander. “Natural Law.” LysanderSpooner.org. http://lysanderspooner.org/node/59 (Aug. 15, 2012).

Spooner, Lysander. “Letter to Grover Cleveland.” LysanderSpooner.org. http://lysanderspooner.org/LetterToGroverCleveland.htm (Aug. 15, 2012).