The Wellspring of Liberty

The Society for the Preservation of Culpeper History presents a free talk on religious liberty Saturday at the library.

Dr. John Ragosta, a historian and lawyer with ties to Rixeyville, will be the day’s featured speaker and will discuss, “The Wellspring of Liberty: How Virginia’s Religious Dissenters Helped Win the American Revolution and Religious Liberty.“

Saturday’s lecture is at 3 p.m.

Ragosta, an alumni of the University of Virginia, has published extensively in legal and historical journals in the areas of early American history, constitutional law and international relations. 

He practiced international trade law and litigation for 20 years in Washington, D. C., before returning to school. Ragosta has taught at the George Washington University School of Law, the University of Virginia history department and law school, and Randolph College.

He also received several short-term fellowships at Monticello’s International Center for Jefferson Studies. Dr. Ragosta lives with his wife, Liz, in Rixeyville and Charlottesville.