Peterson Lecture Series presents Steven Hahn on the golden age of pirates

Peterson Lecture Series at UW-River Falls presents Steven Hahn on the golden age of pirates

Oct. 14, 2026 – The Edward N. Peterson Lecture Series and the University of Wisconsin-River Falls History and Philosophy Department will present guest speaker Steven Hahn, professor of history at St. Olaf College, for a lecture and Q&A titled, “Golden Age Pirates (1713-1730): From Predators to Gentlemen,” Tuesday, Oct. 20, from 5-6:30 p.m. in the Kinnickinnic River Theater in the University Center, 501 Wild Rose Ave., River Falls. 

Steven Hahn headshot. A white man with short grey hair poses for a headshot outdoors and is wearing a navy blue blazer and light blue dress shirt.

The lecture will explore piracy in the Caribbean during the early years of the American republic, examining how pirates transitioned from looters and pillagers to respectable citizens and community members. A Q&A session will follow the presentation.

A reception will be held prior to the event from 4:30-5 p.m. outside the theater. The event is free and open to the public.

The lecture series honors the memory of Professor Ed Peterson, who taught at UWRF from 1954 to 2005. It addresses issues that were the focus of Peterson's academic life and are still relevant today: war and peace, abuses and limits of power and the struggle for democracy in the 20th century.

Photo 1: Steven Hahn. Contributed photo.