[Editor’s note: It’s my great pleasure to announce that, over the next four weeks, the US Intellectual History Blog will be hosting a series of guest posts on the legacy of Michael O’Brien (1948-2015).  The series has been curated by Sarah Gardner, Professor of History and Director of Southern Studies at Mercer University. The first post, from David Moltke-Hansen, will appear later today. Next Friday, March 17, we’ll hear from Steven Stowe. On March 24, Mary Frederickson’s post will appear. And the series will conclude on March 31 with a piece by Mitchell Snay. The following introduction comes from Sarah Read more