Thomas C. Williams is an American author and historian living in France since 1989. A former U.S. Embassy staffer, he is a leading expert on Volney and Thomas Jefferson’s secret translation of The Ruins of Empires, a radical Enlightenment text that nearly derailed Jefferson’s presidency. He has lectured at the Robert H. Smith Research Facility (Monticello) and the French Senate, published widely on the subject, and donated the largest collection of Jefferson translations to Monticello. He is also the author of the historical novels English Turn and Kash Kachu.In this episode, Thomas joins me for a deep dive into the life and legacy of Volney: Enlightenment thinker, revolutionary, and author of The Ruins of Empires. We begin with Volney’s intellectual formation and his role in the early days of the French Revolution, then explore his friendship with Thomas Jefferson and the political risks surrounding Jefferson’s secret translation of Ruins. Finally, we look at how Volney’s ideas continue to resonate today, offering a striking lens through which to view modern events.TimecodesIntroduction01:10 - Volney’s Biography & Intellectual Formation25:58 - Volney and Jefferson: Transatlantic Ideals56:30 - Volney’s Legacy and Contemporary Relevance1:16:38 - ConclusionVolney's Ruins, translated by Jefferson, on Project Gutenberg.Thomas socials:Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/ruinsofempires.bsky.socialYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RuinsOfEmpiresThomas's novels:English Turn: Napoleon Invades Louisiana: Volume I: Ruins of EmpiresKash Kachu (White House): Volume 1: Revenge of the KatchinaArtwork: Constantine Francois Volney, Count of Chasseboeuf, by Gilbert Stuart, ca. 1795. From PAFA.Support the showReach out, support the show and give me feedback! Contact me or follow the podcast on social media Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or on Spotify Buy me a Coffee