Sarah M.S. Pearsall in Bayreuth: Guest lecture on the global history of the American Revolution

An evening for all who want to read the American Revolution anew

The guest lecture by Sarah M.S. Pearsall at the University of Bayreuth on May 27, 2026, will provide a perspective on the independence of the United States as a global event. As part of the lecture series on the 250th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence, the event combines historical analysis with a strong cultural-historical approach. The lecture begins at 4:00 PM and takes place in GWII of the University of Bayreuth; admission is free. ([region-bayreuth.de](https://region-bayreuth.de/veranstaltung/gastvortrag-sarah-m-s-pearsall-johns-hopkins-university-how-the-world-made-american-revolution-bayreuth-rnzl58))

A historical perspective with international depth

Sarah M.S. Pearsall is a professor in the Department of History at Johns Hopkins University, researching early modern history, the American Revolution, Atlantic history, Caribbean history, as well as gender and family history. Her works have received numerous awards, including the Women’s History Network Prize for Atlantic Families; she also received Honorable Mention for the Merle Curti Prize and was a finalist for the Mary Nickliss Prize. ([history.jhu.edu](https://history.jhu.edu/directory/sarah-pearsall/))

Her current book Freedom Around the Globe: How the World Made the American Revolution is set to be published in 2026 by Picador. The announcement from Johns Hopkins University describes it as a revisionist, authoritative interpretation of the revolution that reveals the global dynamics of 1776 and considers events from St. Kitts to Kolkata, Ghana to Guangzhou. This perspective makes the Bayreuth lecture especially enticing: history here appears not as a national narrative, but as a global resonance field. ([history.jhu.edu](https://history.jhu.edu/faculty-books/freedom-around-the-globe-how-the-world-made-the-american-revolution/))

Reading atmosphere between academia and public debate

The evening is aimed at adults and students and is announced as a lecture with readings. The venue, Lecture Hall 27 in GW II, offers 54 seats and is located in the basement of the building for Humanities II, which also combines partial library and cultural science usage. This creates a concentrated, academic atmosphere for a literary-historical experience that brings together specialized knowledge and public communication. ([region-bayreuth.de](https://region-bayreuth.de/veranstaltung/gastvortrag-sarah-m-s-pearsall-johns-hopkins-university-how-the-world-made-american-revolution-bayreuth-rnzl58))

Contentwise, the lecture ties into the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and sheds light on how the American Revolution continued to resonate in different historical contexts - from the French Revolution to the movements of the 20th century. This promises not just a mere retrospective, but an argumentative evening filled with intellectual tension and cultural breadth. ([region-bayreuth.de](https://region-bayreuth.de/veranstaltung/gastvortrag-sarah-m-s-pearsall-johns-hopkins-university-how-the-world-made-american-revolution-bayreuth-rnzl58))

Travel, orientation, and practical tips

The University of Bayreuth is accessible from the A9 via the Bayreuth South exit; signs on campus direct to the buildings. For GW II, the university mentions a dedicated parking lot, wheelchair ramp, wheelchair parking space, walker parking space, and other accessibility features. Moreover, the building has been operational since 2001 and is designed for use as lecture halls and seminar rooms. ([ub.uni-bayreuth.de](https://www.ub.uni-bayreuth.de/en/infos_zur_ub/anfahrtsbeschreibung/index.html?utm_source=openai))

Those who want to combine the lecture with a relaxed journey will find public transport connections and parking options on and around the campus. The evening is suitable for all who want to not only understand historical research but also experience it through direct conversation and precise lecture format. ([ub.uni-bayreuth.de](https://www.ub.uni-bayreuth.de/en/infos_zur_ub/anfahrtsbeschreibung/index.html?utm_source=openai))

Conclusion: This guest lecture promises a clever, international perspective on the American Revolution, delivered by a renowned historian on a highly relevant topic. Anyone seeking historical depth, academic precision, and a lively lecture atmosphere should not miss this date in Bayreuth. ([region-bayreuth.de](https://region-bayreuth.de/veranstaltung/gastvortrag-sarah-m-s-pearsall-johns-hopkins-university-how-the-world-made-american-revolution-bayreuth-rnzl58))

Official channels of Sarah M.S. Pearsall:

• Instagram: no official profile found
• Facebook: no official profile found
• Website: https://history.jhu.edu/directory/sarah-pearsall/
• Publisher: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/2349352/sarah-m-s-pearsall/

Sources:

• Region Bayreuth - Event entry
• Johns Hopkins University - Sarah M.S. Pearsall
• Johns Hopkins University - Freedom Around the Globe
• University of Bayreuth - Humanities II
• University of Bayreuth - Directions and Rooms
• Penguin Random House - Author page