Spencer Van Herik is a historical interpreter from Chicago, Illinois. Spencer has dedicated himself to portraying Dr. Joseph Warren (1741-1775) since late-2019, as well as communicating the history of 18th century colonial America. Spencer currently runs an Instagram account archiving Dr. Warren’s life, as well as the people and events of Revolutionary Boston, which can be found on Instagram @dr.josephwarren as well as on his Facebook page and Twitter account @spencervanherik. Spencer is also a musician and songwriter in addition to his primary work as an historical interpreter.
1) How and/or when did you get hooked on history?
I've always been "hooked" on history, especially history outside of North America. I've always felt it was important to know the backgrounds of other nations and cultures, even while growing up; that's only grown over the years, as I've had the opportunity to travel as an adult.
Upon visiting Boston, Massachusetts for the first time, however, my interest in history went from fascination to rabid dedication towards its preservation, and for the first time, probably ever, my country's history meant more to me than anything else.
It's been an exciting journey, and I'm grateful to have received so much appreciation for my work as well as have made some great connections and friendships to lean on! That sense of community amongst interpreters has made it all the more worthwhile so far, and I don't plan on stopping my work anytime soon.
2) What role does history play or has it played in your personal life?
History serves as a guide in all that I do nowadays. Whether I'm doing historical interpretation or writing music, I try to incorporate my experiences and the experiences of others into all of my work. There are great stories from history all over the world!
History has also provided the tools to learn more about myself as a person, especially since taking on the portrayal of a Founding Father. Dr. Joseph Warren once said, "Act worthy of yourselves." Those words have meant a lot to me since taking on portraying the man that actually said them, and I've tried to "act worthy of myself" in all aspects of my life since.
3) How will history play a part in your professional life/career?
History has already played a huge part in my professional life! I left my previous career just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic to commit myself to historical interpretation and research, and I'm fortunate that my work hasn't had to be paused yet (outside of performing in public).
What I do now, in addition to music, I whole-heartedly consider my job, because what I do may influence people who may have never heard of a particular person or event before coming across my work. That influence matters, and I'm aware of the responsibility that comes with being in a position to educate others, which I take on with the utmost care for my readers and content followers on social media.
4) Why is studying/knowing history important?
The best tools for learning are lessons, and history has plenty of them to choose from. We have all of the necessary tools at our disposal to never repeat the mistakes of our ancestors.
By utilizing history, combined with the present, we have more ability than ever to compose compelling stories to share with future generations, while also bestowing useful knowledge.
When I came across Dr. Joseph Warren, I thought my approach would serve his memory well; but I never thought I would learn so much more than just him, and that's an experience that anyone focusing on studying history can enjoy!
5) What is your favorite period or aspect of history to learn about and why?
I would say, by this point, I'm a bit biased towards 18th century colonial America, because that's the period where I've had to literally live in for some time now! There's a lot to unpack in the years before and after the American Revolution as well, so I focus on that era for my work.
During any free time available, I now enjoy learning about the settlements in North America during the 16th and 17th centuries, as well as the history of the indigenous tribes over the last 500 years. My focus after Dr. Joseph Warren will be on the Stockbridge Mohicans, a Christain-assimilated indigenous tribe that pledged their allegiance to the American cause in late-1774 that were present at Lexington and Concord, the Battle of Chelsea Creek, the Battle of Bunker Hill and later the Battles of Saratoga and the Siege of Fort Ticonderoga.
The history of Great Britain also never ceases to reel me into a "rabbit-hole," since it relates to my current focus. I always end up reading about the Anglo-Saxon period in England until the arrival of William the Conqueror in 1066 (William de Warrenne, a knight and baron to William I, is a possible distant ancestor to Dr. Joseph Warren), or about the English Civil War (1642–1651), since those periods played huge roles in forming the structure of government and society that existed in Great Britain during the 18th century and, in some ways, still exists today.
6) What led you to become a portrayer of Dr. Joseph Warren?
There were a multitude of factors that led to becoming the portrayer of the "Founding Martyr." I was in a unique position to take my artistic endeavors to their highest potential as a full-time musician and songwriter in late-2019; I had already released two full-length albums and was in the process of working on a third; my first ever trip to Boston changed all of that.
I found myself doing research during all hours of the day, and being impressed, for the first time, by any Founding Father; I never felt a personal connection to any particular figure until I came across the memory of Dr. Joseph Warren.
I started seeing a lot of myself in Dr. Warren as I began reading his letters, and when I started working on the timeline of his life I came to the conclusion, which I still hold, that, while alive, he was the most important Son of Liberty in North America. I was baffled that prior to my first visit to Boston I had no idea who he even was, and I wanted to change that however I could!
I endeavored a second trip to Boston, just months after the first, and presented an idea for a program focused on Dr. Warren and his second Boston Massacre oration from March 6, 1775; that speech is where "Act worthy of yourselves" derives from. After pitching the idea to a few of the local historical sites, Revolutionary Spaces, who are the caretakers of Old State House and Old South Meeting House in Boston, gave their full support and resources towards making the event a reality. I am a huge supporter and advocate of their work, and if you aren't following them or know of their work I suggest changing that!
While writing the production, when the hard question finally came "Who is going to play Dr. Warren?", I said "I'll do it" without hesitation. I hadn't even intended to portray him, but it felt right after going through almost six months of research to that point; I was going to leave the acting to local-based interpreters, who were far more experienced than I was at the time; I just felt, in that moment, that I could do Dr. Warren and the speech justice, but the thought of working as a full-time historical
Fast forward to more than a year later and more performances have come and gone, all virtual (for now), and I have plans through 2025 to celebrate the 250th anniversaries of the early events of the American Revolution. Several moments from Warren's life during those years deserve to be better celebrated, and that's where I've decided to take my work for now.
7) Why is Dr. Warren an important figure in American history?
Dr. Warren's life serves as a lens into the years before the American Revolution. Warren also lived an entire lifetime from Spring 1774 to June 17, 1775, acting as the de facto Whig leader in Boston as Samuel Adams, John Adams, John Hancock and others attended the Continental Congresses in Philadelphia; his efforts, as well as the letters to and from his friends and allies, serve as great glimpses into the climate of Boston and Massachusetts Bay at the time.
Dr. Warren's ardent civic service, his love and diplomacy for of a free and independent America from British rule, and his words and actions throughout the course of his life and in the early months of the American Revolution are still some of the most daring, graceful and resolute actions of any person involved in the War for American Independence. Warren was also bold, brave, calculated and firm in his beliefs, even when his life was in danger; a character such as him, in my opinion, doesn't exist in many other places within the historical record of mankind.
Abigail Adams, whose own family had grown close to the Warren family over the years, lamented Dr. Warren's untimely death at the Battle of Bunker Hill by stating the following in a letter to husband John, alerting him of the dreadful news just a day after the battle on June 18, 1775: "Dearest Friend, The Day; perhaps the decisive Day is come on which the fate of America depends. My bursting Heart must find vent at my pen. I have just heard that our dear Friend Dr. Warren is no more but fell gloriously fighting for his Country - saying better to die honourably in the field than ignominiously hang upon the Gallows. Great is our loss. He has distinguished himself in every engagement, by his courage and fortitude, by animating the Soldiers and leading them on by his own example."
Days later, on July 5th, "Abby" wrote again, "Not all the havoc and devastation they have made, has wounded me like the death of Warren. We wanted him in the Senate, we want him in his profession, we want him in the field. We mourn for the citizen, the senator, the physician and the Warriour. May we have others raised up in his room."
Alexander Hill Everett, an early biographer, also closed his 'The Life of Joseph Warren (1845)' with the following sentiments: "Warren, distinguished as he was among the bravest, wisest, and best of the patriotic band, was assigned, in the inscrutable decrees of Providence, the crown of early martyrdom...There are many among the patriots and heroes of the Revolutionary War, whose names are connected with a greater number of important transactions; whose biography, correspondence and writings fill more pages; and whose names will occupy a larger space in general history; but there is hardly one whose example will exercise a more inspiring and elevating influence upon his countrymen and the world, than that of the brave, blooming, generous, self-devoted martyr of Bunker's Hill."
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