A century and a half after the U.S. Civil War, scholars still are examining the reasons behind, and the effects of the war that fractured the United States, including some that linger today.

That discussion continues publicly Thursday, as the Battle of Franklin Trust launches a lecture series at Carnton Plantation in Franklin.

Also Thursday in Nashville, scholars from across the nation will begin a spring lecture series at Vanderbilt University on a variety of themes, including the war’s impact on Nashville, during a series of public lectures.

The talks correspond to the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War and the presidential inauguration of Abraham Lincoln.

The Vanderbilt lectures are in conjunction with an interdisciplinary undergraduate course on the Civil War co-taught by Richard Blackett, the Andrew Jackson Professor of History, and Michael Kreyling, the Gertrude Conway Vanderbilt Professor of English.

The Vanderbilt lectures, which are free and open to the public, will begin at 4:10 p.m. in Buttrick Hall, Room 101.

• In the first Vanderbilt lecture South Carolina State University History Professor Stanley Harrold addresses “Abolitionism and the Coming of the Civil War.” Video of Harrold’s talk will be available a few days after the lecture at http://news.vanderbilt.edu.

• At 6 p.m. Thursday at the Carnton Plantation’s Fleming Center in Franklin, historians and authors Eric A. Jacobson and Thomas Flagel will present “Lincoln’s Election and the Secession Drama,” exploring the reasons behind the quick secession of the first seven Southern states.

• Jacobson will be back at Carnton Plantation along with Greg Biggs for a "Civil War Flags” presentation beginning at 6 p.m. on Feb. 24.

Space at the Carnton lectures is limited to the first 100 people. For more information or to RSVP, please contact Leigh Bawcom at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit to www.battleoffranklintrust.org.

For more information on the Vanderbilt lecture series, which has seven more presentations scheduled through Apr. 2, call 615-322-2575 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .