John E. Smith III

2026 Lecturer of the Year and John Morton Biography Project Highlights

2026 has already been an exciting and incredibly busy year. For years, we’ve been preparing for America's semiquincentennial, and now it’s finally here—250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Personally, much of my time has been devoted to lecturing on my longtime research subject, John Morton, whose life and legacy I continue exploring as I work toward completing his biography. The process has been slower than I originally anticipated, but I’m tremendously excited to eventually share the full story of this fascinating man in a published book. I had hoped to have it released by 2026, but, as always, life has a way of reshaping timelines.

In the meantime, I’ve been sharing Morton’s story through educational lectures, articles, and especially through my role as the 2026 Finlandia Foundation National Lecturer of the Year (LOY). Through earlier talks and projects, I quickly discovered the immense pride many Finns feel for Morton—a man of Finnish descent who signed the Declaration of Independence. Serving as Lecturer of the Year has given me the opportunity to act as a Friend of Finland while connecting with audiences through Morton’s timely and compelling story.

As I continue work on his biography, I invite you to explore some of the projects, lectures, and events I’ve been involved with along the way.

LOY Event with Finlandia Foundation National Capital Chapter

03/14/2026: This event marked my very first appearance as the 2026 Finlandia Foundation National Lecturer of the Year, and I could not have chosen a more fitting setting than historic Gadsby's Tavern in downtown Alexandria, just a short distance from our nation’s capital and the historic document signed by John Morton 250 years ago. Many thanks to Andrea Rasmussen for the invitation to lecture on Morton’s life and legacy, and to Kirsti Norting—along with her adorable Boston Terrier Keva—for the wonderful hospitality!

Finlandia Foundation National's Board Visits Philly!

04/24/2026: Personally, this was a particularly enjoyable experience because it gave me the opportunity to showcase the remarkable history of the Delaware Valley to visitors from outside the region. Members of the Finlandia Foundation National gathered for their annual board meeting, while also touring several local Finnish and Nordic historic sites and attending an exhibition opening at the American Swedish Historical Museum (inside the John Morton Memorial Building). I was especially honored to share a few remarks at the gravesite of John Morton in Chester, as well as at the Kalmar Nyckel in Wilmington.

LOY Event in Minnesota with the Finnish American Association of the Twin Cities

05/14/2026: This marked my very first trip west of the Mississippi River, and I had a wonderful time meeting Midwestern Finns while lecturing on John Morton’s role in securing American independence, as well as the history of the colony of New Sweden. It was a memorable experience, and I’m already looking forward to returning to the beautiful Twin Cities later this year for FinnFest 2026! Thanks to Louise Morgan and her husband Kevin for hosting me. I also enjoyed coffee with playwright Laurie Flanigan Hegge who is preparing a play on Morton for FinnFest. It's going to be great!

Middletown Township Historical Society

04/09/2026: I made the arduous four-minute commute to the Middletown Township Library for a local talk on Delco’s own signer of the Declaration. It was a wonderful turnout, with many eager to learn more about this remarkable man.

Quoted and Sourced in a Delaware County Times Article

06/05/2026: Journalist Alex Rose from the Delaware County Times spoke with me to write this detailed article about John Morton, his role in American independence, and his legacy.

Article in the Finnish Line Magazine

06/10/2026: A short article wrote for the Finnish Line magazine about John Morton.

Article in the Swedish Colonial Society Journal

Coming Soon!

FFN LOY Event at Finnish Center Association

06/14/2026: This event had been on my radar for a long time, as Yvonne Lockwood was the first person to contact me after I was named Finlandia Foundation National's Lecturer of the Year. The Finnish Center in Farmington Hills is a beautiful space that reflects Finland's love of nature and the outdoors. I'm incredibly grateful to my hosts for their warm hospitality and tours of the Detroit area. Kathryn Hill, Yvonne Lockwood, and Mike Kinnunen gave me a wonderful driving tour of the city, while Marilyn Clark and former Detroit Institute of Arts curator Steve Niemi treated me to an outstanding visit to the museum and the historic Detroit Finnish Cooperative Summer Camp Association. It was a fantastic experience from start to finish, including a great conversation with Ramona Dixon on the way to the airport. Kiitos, everyone!

FFN LOY Event at Juhannus Suurjuhlat

06/19/2026: At the end of June, Hancock, Michigan became the center of the Finno-Ugric world as it celebrated Juhannus and its designation as the first American city named the Finno-Ugric Cultural Capital of the World. I was honored to present my Finlandia Foundation National Lecturer of the Year lecture on John Morton. At first, I wondered how a presentation rooted in Finnish heritage would connect with such an international audience, especially after meeting so many Estonians. I quickly discovered that Morton's story resonates far beyond his ancestry. His courage, thoughtful leadership, and determination in the face of difficult decisions are qualities that inspire people from every background. My thanks to the Finlandia Foundation National team for making this memorable visit possible.

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