On this episode of Our American Stories, James Bradley Thayer and Chauncey Wright grew up in rural Massachusetts with little to suggest they would one day enter Harvard’s elite world. Yet both rose into Harvard Yard, where their paths sharply diverged. Thayer became a towering figure at Harvard Law, shaping generations of Supreme Court justices, while Wright’s brilliance was undone by personal struggle.

Historian Andrew Porwancher, a professor at Arizona State University and a Jack Miller Center Fellow, tells the story of ambition, friendship, and the thin line between promise fulfilled and promise lost. The story is adapted from his book The Prophet of Harvard Law.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, James Bradley Thayer and Chauncey Wright grew up in rural Massachusetts with little to suggest they would one day enter Harvard&rsquo;s elite world. Yet both rose into Harvard Yard, where their paths sharply diverged. Thayer became a towering figure at Harvard Law, shaping generations of Supreme Court justices, while Wright&rsquo;s brilliance was undone by personal struggle. Historian Andrew Porwancher, a professor at Arizona State University and a&nbsp;<a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.jackmillercenter.org%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7CUraelBlackshear%40iheartmedia.com%7C8b547ee0ff2f4acb1b9708de65b360a1%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C639060018273846794%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=eo3tQTILbBGuWpPewSYI4%2B3IdwiEo2Id7%2B2Oq6PP39I%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="3">Jack Miller Center</a>&nbsp;Fellow, tells the story of ambition, friendship, and the thin line between promise fulfilled and promise lost. The story is adapted from his book The Prophet of Harvard Law.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

Our American Stories tells stories that aren’t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we’ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit, and be inspired by our stories.

Our American Stories

Our American Stories tells stories that aren’t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we’ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit and be inspired by our stories.

Our American Stories tells stories that aren&rsquo;t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we&rsquo;ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit and be inspired by our stories.

From Farmhouses to Harvard Yard: Two Boys, One Friendship, Two Fates

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/3ca4eee2-d36a-4ef6-acca-b3e90166633b/transcript