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Chris is joined by Bryan A. Garner: grammarian, lexicographer, and author of The Etcher: The Life and Art of Oskar Stoessel. They discuss Stoessel’s life and work, how he managed to etch portraits of FDR and eight Supreme Court justices, and what compelled Bryan to write about him. They also talk about Bryan’s recent defense of originalism against a strange new critique, his career as a grammarian, and the origins of his collaboration with Justice Scalia. Show notes:
- Bryan’s new book, The Etcher: The Life and Art of Oskar Stoessel
- Bryan’s two recent columns for National Review, on Jill Lepore and H.W. Fowler
- Bryan’s coauthored books with Justice Scalia, Reading Law: The Interpretation of Legal Texts and Making Your Case: The Art of Persuading Judges
Time stamps:
1:50 – “Who was Oskar Stoessel?”
6:08 – Oskar’s early career and the nature of etching
15:19 – Oskar’s remarkable time in the United States
28:20 – Oskar’s return to Austria, later life, and legacy
37:42 – Defending originalism from a new critique
44:20 – Becoming a grammarian
Discussion (2)
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Fabulous episode. The book was on its way before the show ended. Stoessel knew so many major figures of the 20th Century, I'm surprised no one made an allusion to Zelig.
Loved the grammar segment, too.
CONTRIBUTOR
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You ever look at that Hitler fellow's paintings? Let's just say that it doesn't require a Jewish conspiracy to deny him entry to art school.