Write Now with Scrivener Episode 60: John Garrison Marks, Historian
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Mar 4, 2026 
John Garrison Marks, historian of slavery and public memory, explores George Washington's complex legacy. He discusses how Washington became a national symbol, the politics that shaped his memory, and the tensions between private views and public actions. Marks also shares his research and writing process, including using DEVONthink and Scrivener.
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Washington As America's Unassailable Symbol
- George Washington functions as an avatar of America, making critique feel like an attack on the nation.
- John Garrison Marks found debates over Washington's slavery began in his lifetime and have continued for 250 years, shaping modern fights over memory.
Ambiguity Explains Emotional Reactions To Washington
- People struggle with ambiguity, so Washington's mixed legacy (founding achievements and extensive slaveholding) creates discomfort.
- Marks emphasizes Washington freed his enslaved people in his will, adding moral complexity rather than a tidy resolution.
Museums Should Facilitate Meaning Making
- Use museums and historic sites to facilitate conversations about ambiguity rather than only presenting facts.
- Marks recommends institutions lean into meaning-making so visitors can wrestle with complexity and apply history to present choices.
