Madelaine Drohan
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mdrohan.bsky.social
Madelaine Drohan
@mdrohan.bsky.social
210 followers 170 following 210 posts
Author of He Did Not Conquer: Benjamin Franklin's Failure to Annex Canada, out September 30, 2025. Writer. Former foreign correspondent. Senior fellow GSPIA, University of Ottawa. Curious about how the world works.
Visit my website: madelainedrohan.org
Posts Replies Media Videos
mdrohan.bsky.social
There is something very satisfying about talking about your book in an intimate setting. Big thanks to my friends in Vancouver — Richard, Kathy, Elizabeth, and Rob — for inviting and hosting yesterday. Lots of good questions!
#hedidnotconquer #cdahist #history #books
A woman with short grey hair and glasses, dressed in black pants and a green top, is talking to a group of people in a living room. On the TV screen beside her is a portrait of Benjamin Franklin.
December 1, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Reposted by Madelaine Drohan
cepi-cips.bsky.social
On December 8th, we look forward to welcoming @mdrohan.bsky.social, Senior Fellow at the Graduate School of Public and International Policy & author of the book, He Did Not Conquer: Benjamin Franklin’s Failure to Annex Canada.

Learn more >>> bit.ly/3XXPNY9
November 26, 2025 at 5:19 PM
mdrohan.bsky.social
I had fun today talking about my book to members of the thriving Victoria branch of the Canadian International Council.

What an impressive group! Informed, engaged and intensely interested in Canada’s place in the world.

#hedidnotconquer #cdahistory #history #books @dundurnpress.bsky.social
A man and a woman standing in front of a banner for the Canadian International Council, Victoria branch. The woman has grey hair and glasses and is wearing a black suit and pink shirt. The man has on a suit and tie and has grey hair. Both are smiling.
November 29, 2025 at 1:08 AM
mdrohan.bsky.social
I really enjoyed talking to members of the Vancouver Island branch of the Canadian International Council in Parksville today. The warmth of the welcome more than made up for the grey and drizzly weather!

#hedidnotconquer #cdahistory #history #books Dundurn Press
A woman with short grey hair and glasses, wearing a green jacket is talking to a roomful of people. On the screen beside her is a portrait of Benjamin Franklin.
November 28, 2025 at 2:03 AM
Reposted by Madelaine Drohan
cepi-cips.bsky.social
Le 8 décembre, nous aurons le plaisir d'accueillir @mdrohan.bsky.social, chercheuse principale à l’École supérieure d’études publiques et internationales et auteure du livre He Did Not Conquer: Benjamin Franklin’s Failure to Annex Canada.

Pour en savoir plus >>> bit.ly/484Cf3g
November 26, 2025 at 5:19 PM
mdrohan.bsky.social
I was worried that the story of Benjamin Franklin and Canada might not seem as compelling to audiences in Western Canada. Today’s event at the Brock House Society in Vancouver put those fears to rest. Lots of good questions about our shared history!

#hedidnotconquer #cdahistory #history #books
November 25, 2025 at 11:59 PM
mdrohan.bsky.social
This makes me very happy!

#hedidnotconquer #cdahistory #history #books @dundurnpress.bsky.social
November 25, 2025 at 11:18 PM
mdrohan.bsky.social
#OTD Nov. 24, 1775, Washington appointed two spies to go to the British colony of Nova Scotia and report on “the disposition of the inhabitants towards the American cause” and the strength of the British navy base in Halifax.
This is a coloured etching of the Commissioner's House at the British naval base in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The house is three stories and is white. There is a cupola on the roof. In the foreground are several sailing vessels and a canoe. In the background is a flagstaff with the Union Jack flying.
November 24, 2025 at 3:09 PM
mdrohan.bsky.social
#OTD Nov. 22, 1775, Guy Carleton, governor of the Province of Quebec, expelled American sympathizers from Quebec City. He called them “useless, disloyal, and treacherous persons.”
Montreal and Trois-Rivières had fallen. If American troops captured Quebec City, Canada would be theirs.
An oil portrait of Sir Guy Carleton, governor of the Province of Quebec in 1775. He is wearing a red army uniform, with a raised black collar, and a white neck scarf. He has white hair that is pulled back with a black bow. He is gazing to the right of the viewer, with a sombre look on his face.
November 23, 2025 at 2:07 AM
Reposted by Madelaine Drohan
ronfilipkowski.bsky.social
Montage of 19 clips of Trump insulting, berating, demeaning and attacking female reporters over the past few months. Part 1.
November 19, 2025 at 1:13 PM
mdrohan.bsky.social
I was both happy and sad to see that Tim Cook, a military historian whose work I admired and respected, reviewed my book for the Literary Review of Canada.

“This is a good book that has arrived at an opportune time,” he wrote.

#hedidnotconquer

reviewcanada.ca/magazine/202...
How Vain an Attempt | A review of “He Did Not Conquer” by Madelaine DrohanLiterary Review of Canada
The late historian Tim Cook reflects on “He Did Not Conquer” by Madelaine Drohan, about Benjamin Franklin’s attempt to annex Canada.
reviewcanada.ca
November 18, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Reposted by Madelaine Drohan
250yearsagonews.bsky.social
Nov. 8, 1775: Congress authorizes its Secret Committee "to contract for the importation of arms, ammunition, &c." and empowers it "to export to the foreign West Indies as much provision, or any other produce, (except horned cattle, sheep, hogs, and poultry)" as needed for gunpowder.
Benjamin Franklin, one of the Secret Committee members John Jay, another member
November 8, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Reposted by Madelaine Drohan
250yearsagonews.bsky.social
Nov. 8, 1775: Col. Benedict Arnold's invasion army reaches the outskirts of Quebec City. A force that started as about 1,100 men has been reduced from hunger and disease during its agonizing march through Maine. Just this week, several hundred soldiers under Col. Roger Enos departed. 1/2
Quebec City when it was captured by Gen. James Wolfe in 1759
November 8, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Reposted by Madelaine Drohan
250yearsagonews.bsky.social
Nov. 10, 1775: The Continental Congress resolves that "two persons be sent to Nova Scotia to enquire into the state of that colony" and "the disposition of the inhabitants towards the American cause." The intelligence will be forwarded to Gen. George Washington to aid him in possible military moves.
November 10, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Reposted by Madelaine Drohan
250yearsagonews.bsky.social
Nov. 12, 1775: American Gen. Richard Montgomery, camped with his troops just outside Montreal, meets a delegation of civic leaders. They agree to surrender and will let him through the walls of the Canadian capital tomorrow morning.
November 12, 2025 at 3:23 PM
mdrohan.bsky.social
#OTD 250 years ago, Canadians were at war with American invaders and each other. American colonists had exported their civil war north, enticing some Canadians to fight with them against the British. Others fought to defend the imperial power. It was a divisive invasion that ultimately failed.
This is an old-fashioned engraving in black and white of Sir Guy Carleton, dated 1782. Carleton is dressed in a military uniform. Most of his hair is tied back with a bow. He is looking to the side of the image. Below the image the text says "Sir Guy Carleton, From a London print dated 1782."
November 11, 2025 at 5:07 PM
mdrohan.bsky.social
Had a really enjoyable evening discussing my book with the Friends of Lifelong Learning at the Glebe Centre in Ottawa. What a great group!
#cdahistory #cdaus #hedidnotconquer
Woman with grey hair and glasses wearing a red sweater stands beside a screen showing the cover of the book He Did Not Conquer: Benjamin Franklin’s Failure to Annex Canada. Below the screen is a marble fireplace.
November 11, 2025 at 12:08 AM
mdrohan.bsky.social
I really enjoyed giving a talk on my book today at the Atwater Library in Montreal. A special thanks to those who came out despite the transit strike.
@dundurnpress.bsky.social #cdahist #cdaus #hedidnotconquer
Woman with grey hair and glasses standing in front of a podium at the Atwater Library in Montreal. In the background is a map from 1560 with the word Canada circled. Photo credit: Patricia Poirier Woman with grey hair and glasses signing a book. In the foreground is the book, He Did Not Conquer: Benjamin Franklin’s Failure to Annex Canada.
November 6, 2025 at 10:08 PM
mdrohan.bsky.social
Had a great time at the Toronto launch of my book at Ben McNally Books. My thanks to Meghan Macdonald of @dundurnpress.bsky.social for kicking things off, Rupert and Danielle McNally for hosting, and to all the friends and book lovers who came.
#hedidnotconquer #cdaus #cdapoli
Female author with grey hair and glasses, wearing a red jacket, signing a book in a book store. A crowd in a book store for an event. Female author wearing a red jacket is speaking to a man with white hair before a wall of bookshelves. Others are listening to the conversation.
November 4, 2025 at 3:11 AM
mdrohan.bsky.social
I’m looking forward to speaking at the Atwater Library at 12:30 pm on November 6. Montreal plays a big part in the story I tell about Benjamin Franklin wanting to annex Canada. He set the stage for Donald Trump. My book is published by @dundurnpress.bsky.social
#hedidnotconquer #cdahist #cdaus
Ad for a talk by Madelaine Drohan about her book, He Did Not Conquer: Benjamin Franklin’s Failure to Annex Canada, at the Atwater Library in Montreal on Nov. 6 at 12:30. There is a photo of the author on the left. She has short grey hair, wears glasses, and is smiling. There is a photo of the book cover on the right. The title is superimposed on a portrait of Franklin, who appears to be frowning. Below the images is text giving the details of the event.
October 31, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Reposted by Madelaine Drohan
ravenspoint.bsky.social
Received my 8th COVID19 vaccination. Not only super effective against COVID with no bad side effects, recent studies show it revs up the immune system against other challenges, including cancer. www.washingtonpost.com/science/2025...
Study finds mRNA coronavirus vaccines prolonged life of cancer patients
A study found that covid-19 vaccines appeared to awaken the immune system in lung and skin cancer patients, helping them live longer than those not vaccinated.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 30, 2025 at 5:00 PM
mdrohan.bsky.social
Before Donald Trump in 2025, before James Madison in 1812, Benjamin Franklin had designs on Canada. Find out how Franklin, a scientist, diplomat, trend setter, and writer of fake news, set the stage for Donald Trump.
This is an invitation to a book launch. On the left is an image of the book cover. The title is: He Did Not Conquer: Benjamin Franklin's Failure to Annex Canada. And the author is Madelaine Drohan. The words are superimposed on a portrait that show Franklin frowning. On the right are the details of the launch, which takes place between 5-7 pm at Ben McNally Books, at 108 Queen Street East, Toronto. The author will give remarks at 5:45 pm.
October 30, 2025 at 6:35 PM
mdrohan.bsky.social
“What think you of a North American Monarchy?” John Adams, one of the founding fathers, asked a friend in October 1775. “Suppose We should appoint a Continental King, and a Continental House of Lords, and a Continental House of Commons, to be annually, or triennially or Septennially elected?”
An old-fashioned, sepia-toned image of John Adams. There is an ornate frame around the image. Adams is balding and is wearing a dark jacket with a high collar and a white neck cloth. The words below the image note he was president of the United States.
October 29, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Reposted by Madelaine Drohan
vulgarhistory.bsky.social
Mary Shelley famously wrote Frankenstein while on a summer-long sleepover party with guests including Lord Byron.

On today’s podcast, we need to talk about Lord Byron. Joining us is @msemilyedwards.bsky.social who has plenty to say about this F***boi of Literature pod.link/1489560920/e...
October 29, 2025 at 2:53 PM
mdrohan.bsky.social
What a pleasure it was to speak this week with Tom Fournier of the @historysymposium.bsky.social about my book, published by @dundurnpress.bsky.social. I gave the high points of Benjamin Franklin’s designs on Canada.

#cdaus #cdapoli #cdahist #hedidnotconquer

youtu.be/IySBOsrhFE8?...
Madelaine Drohan: He Did Not Conquer: Benjamin Franklin’s Failure to Annex Canada
YouTube video by History Symposium
youtu.be
October 25, 2025 at 3:48 PM