David Adkins is a historian who was an adjunct professor of history at Roane State Community College and now teaches at Pellissippi and Walters State Community Colleges. He regularly teaches for Oak Ridge Institute for Continued Learning and has been voted Instructor of the Year.

David Adkins did not come to the field of history by the usual route. He took the scenic route of careers, including but not limited to the military, industrial mechanics, book sales, foundry work, and security. He began college as a nontraditional student and earned both his undergraduate and graduate degrees in history, specializing in colonial economic history at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He runs the Youtube channel MercenaryHistorian, where he talks about history and he edits professional publications.

David will speak on an American Revolutionary War genius and hero - until he wasn’t - Benedict Arnold, and his fellow Colonial co-patriots and generals: Thomas Conway and Horatio Gates - both of whom fared much better in American history.

We all know about Arnold’s notoriety for his absconding over to the British side but very little is known about the much greater breakdown of the Colonial leadership during the Revolutionary War. Traditional revolutionary war history is full of desperate moments, incredible heroism, and daring leadership. Behind the scenes the officer corps of the Continental Army was rife with doubt and valiant ambition. All of these desperate moments led to treason, political intrigue, and almost led to the defeat of the new nation. Come join us for a glimpse into this little known aspect of the war.

The Lunch With the League (LWL) is scheduled for the first and third Tuesdays of each month (except September 2026) from September through May. The League meets in the Social Room of the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church, located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike. Lunches may be purchased for a nominal fee beginning at 11:30 a.m. (eastern time) or attendees may bring their own lunch. Coffee and tea will be provided. The presentation by the speaker begins at 12:00 noon, followed by a question-and-answer session. Members of the public are welcome to attend these interesting and informative events. 

In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States, the LWL Lecture Series will devote most of our Fall season with some of the most eloquent and fascinating historians on early American history in our area; each presentation will have a twist that you may not anticipate. Because of some schedule constraints or conflicts, two of these lectures will be held during the Spring season.