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Carolyn Eastman's "The Strange Genius of Mr. O" tells the story of the rise and fall of James Ogilvie, whose oratory performances made him a household name in America’s founding era. (Eastman photo by Allison Bell)

‘The Strange Genius of Mr. O’ reveals the story of America’s first forgotten celebrity

Feb. 9, 2021

The book by VCU history professor Carolyn Eastman dives into performances, eccentricities, scandals and narcissism — and the nature of fame in America’s founding era.