About Julian Raven

To begin to understand who Julian Raven is, start by reading what others have said about him.

Julian Raven's book, Odious and Cerberus: An American Immigrant's Odyssey and His Free-Speech Legal War Against Corruption, is a widely endorsed nonfiction memoir, biography, and legal-political narrative that chronicles his journey as an immigrant, artist, activist, and litigant.

The book features endorsements from individuals across the political spectrum—from local educators and community leaders to nationally recognized academics, historians, scientists, law professors, filmmakers, artists, and political activists. Together, their perspectives help tell the story of Raven's decade-long legal battle against corruption and censorship within the Smithsonian Institution and other public institutions.

Also included are endorsements from regional and local elected officials in Elmira, New York, dating from Raven's years as a Republican political activist. Whether those individuals still hold the same views today is for them to answer, but their endorsements remain a record of the character, integrity, and determination they recognized in Julian Raven at the time.

Raven's campaign for Mayor of Elmira represents the newest chapter in a much larger American story—one marked by perseverance, controversy, conviction, and an unwavering commitment to free speech, government accountability, and civic renewal.

To begin that journey, read the book.

"You are about to read a quintessentially American story about one man, an immigrant from England, and his struggle against a powerful institution. Was Raven's unalienable right of speech abridged-forbidden by Smithsonian curators with a political axe to grind-and his right to due process curtailed? This is a story about every American who seeks fairness, free speech, and due process of law. Raven's story cuts to the very heart of America's founding values of liberty for all. What will Lady Justice say in the contest between the influential, moneyed, and conveniently ill-defined Smithsonian Institution and one man backed by the Bill of Rights?" Craig Shirley, acclaimed historian and author

“...a funny, revealing, and entertaining story of one man’s struggle against overwhelming odds.” Laurence Jarvik, Film Director and author of the expose’- ‘PBS: Behind The Screen’

“Julian Raven’s Odious and Cerberus is as timely a book as can be.” Dr. Richard Von Sternberg, Evolutionary Biologist, protagonist of the documentary: "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed" By Ben Stein

“Your work is brilliant, no wonder the Smithsonian stiffed you!” Bill Donohue, The Catholic League

“Anyone who enjoys David & Goliath stories should read Julian Raven’s Odious and Cerberus.” Scott Douglass Gerber, Professor of Law at Ohio Northern University and author of, among other books, A Distinct Judicial Power: The Origins of an Independent Judiciary, 1606-1787

“Julian tells an epic tale of a vision quest...part Odysseus, part Don Quixote...” Jim Boden, Professor emeritus, Coker College, South Carolina

"Julian Raven is an 18-wheeler crashing through our timorous barriers. Odious and Cerberus is a forceful love letter to America.” Ashok Panikkar, Founder, Meta-Culture, Thinking and, Human Engagement

“Bold!, Entertaining!... Raven’s love for God and country are inspiring!” Dr. Cary Shaw, Head of School at Twin Tiers Christian Academy, Breesport, New York