Espionage and Religion at Oakland University April 4

Historian Matthew Sutton to Discuss WWII Espionage, Religion at Oakland University

The Department of History at Oakland University will present “(Un)Holy Spies: Religion and American Espionage in World War II,” a special lecture with award-winning author and historian Matthew A. Sutton, at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 4 in Gold Rooms A, B and C at the Oakland Center.

“Matthew Sutton is one of the very best scholars in the nation working on American religious history today,” said Todd Estes, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of the Department of History at Oakland University.

During his lecture, Sutton will discuss the rise of the United States’ first intelligence agency and its relationship to global religious faiths. A question and answer session will follow.

“We’re honored to have him speak at OU and the audience is in for a treat, getting to hear his cutting-edge research on spies, religion and World War II espionage before it is published,” Estes said.

Sutton, an Edward R. Meyer Distinguished Professor and Graduate Studies Director at Washington State University, began his career teaching history at Oakland from 2005 through 2008.

“We’re immensely proud of the fact that he began his teaching career at Oakland University,” Estes said. “Having him come back to give this lecture is a great opportunity for the OU community to hear an exciting lecture by one of the leading historians in the nation.”

Sutton is the author of numerous books on U.S. religious history, including American Apocalypse: A History of Modern Evangelicalism; Jerry Falwell and the Rise of the Religious Right: A Brief History with Documents; and Aimee Semple McPherson and the Resurrection of Christian America.

“His publications have shaped the way that historians understand the influence of religion on politics and culture,” Estes said.

In addition, Sutton has been featured on National Public Radio’s Morning Edition and MSNBC’s The Last Word, among many other news shows. He has also written for the New York Times, Washington Post, and Seattle Times.

The April 4 lecture is open to the public and refreshments will be served.

For more information, contact the Department of History at (248) 370-3510 or email Professor Estes at estes@oakland.edu.