Lecture Details

The Heritage Foundation is pleased to announce that Victor Davis Hanson, a prominent classicist, historian, and conservative commentator, will be the featured speaker at the 2025 Russell Kirk Lecture. His presentation, titled “Why Borders Matter—Ancient and Modern,” aims to explore the significance of borders throughout history and their relevance in contemporary society.

About Russell Kirk

The lecture is named after the esteemed scholar Russell Kirk (1918–1994), who played a pivotal role in shaping the modern conservative movement. His influential texts, including The Conservative Mind (1953) and The Roots of American Order (1974), laid the groundwork for conservative ideology. As a co-founder of National Review and Modern Age, Kirk also served as a distinguished fellow at The Heritage Foundation.

Kirk’s philosophical principles, encapsulated in his “six cannons of conservatism,” advocate for traditional values, piety, political prudence, and the notion of ordered liberty. His thought-provoking essays and lectures continue to challenge and inspire discussions, preserved by The Russell Kirk Center for Cultural Renewal.

Previous Lecturers

The Russell Kirk Lecture Series has previously featured an array of notable figures, including:

• Ayaan Hirsi Ali
• Bishop Robert Barron
• Robert George
• Roger Scruton
• Shelby Steele
• George Nash
• Robert Reilly
• David Goldman
• Roger Kimball
• Gary Saul Morson

About Victor Davis Hanson

Hanson currently holds the position of Martin and Illie Anderson Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, where his work focuses on the disciplines of classics and military history. His teaching experience includes notable institutions such as Stanford, Hillsdale College, the U.S. Naval Academy, and Pepperdine University.

An accomplished author, Hanson has penned hundreds of articles, book reviews, and editorials concerning Greek history, agrarian studies, and military matters. He has contributed to twenty-four books and is a syndicated columnist for Tribune Media Services, in addition to writing a weekly column for National Review Online.

Moreover, he engages audiences through his podcast, The Victor Davis Hanson Show.