Jennifer Van Bergen

About Jennifer:

I was a progressive investigative journalist and legal/political commentator for a variety of online news organs since 2002. My first book, "The Twilight of Democracy: The Bush Plan for America," was published by Common Courage Press in 2004. My second book, "Archetypes for Writers: Using the Power of Your Subconscious," was put out by Michael Wiese Productions in 2007, and is the result of over 20 years of work on that subject. Both books are now also available on Kindle. The second book is under the title "Unmasking Arkhelogy."

I was offered a contract to write a biography for Bucknell University Press of one of Burr's friends, Leonora Sansay, whom he raised from poverty and mentored into the position of respected novelist. (Leonora is now known to have written 5 novels, 4 of which are extant.) However, BUP does not provide research funding and in order to complete this book properly, I would have to travel overseas. Thus, the book has not been written.

Several of my scholarly legal articles have also been published in respected law journals.

I began researching Aaron Burr in 1982, almost 30 years ago. I am currently working with a writing partner on a screenplay on AB.

My early background was in theater. I was raised on Shakespeare, starting at age 9, when I started performing every summer in the Croton-on-Hudson Shakespeare Festival and began studying at the Bennett Conservatory in Croton with Toni Donley.

I hold a Juris Doctorate from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law (NYC, 1998), but do not practice. I also hold a Masters of Science in International Education from Nova Southeastern University (2009) and am currently enrolled in the online LL.M. (Master of Law) program in Environmental Law at Vermont Law School.

I run a cat and ferret sanctuary out of my home, which applies a unique animal-centered and nature-based approach to their care. Visit the sanctuary Facebook page.

I am eternally and happily busy. I love reading about quantum physics and am an amateur astrologer, carpenter, inventor, and wildlife lover. For my standard of values, see the 12th Gen. article "The Way of Arkhelogy".

INFLUENCES

Marcel Proust, William Shakespeare, Bernard Shaw, George Eliot, Joseph Conrad, Henry James, Wilkie Collins, Lawrence Stern

UPCOMING WORKS

Biography of Leonora Sansay.

Novel about Aaron Burr.