Schenectady, N.Y. (April 13, 1999) – Robert D. Richardson Jr., author of acclaimed books on Emerson and Thoreau, will speak on “Sinking Ships, Erupting Volcanos, and the Writing of Literary Biography” on Wednesday, May 5, at 7:30 p.m. in Everest Lounge (near Old Chapel) at Union College.
The talk is free and open to the public.
Richardson is the author, most recently, of Henry Thoreau: A Life of the Mind (1986) and Emerson: The Mind on Fire (1995), for which he won the Bancroft Award in History.
His work is widely acclaimed. The Thoreau book is called “definite, outstanding, fundamental, superb;” his biography of Emerson has been praised as “graceful, humorous, acute and essential.”
He has taught at Harvard University, University of Colorado and Wesleyan University.
Of Emerson: the Mind on Fire, Bryce Christensen of Booklist wrote, “Richardson shows how Emerson's volcanic genius ignited flames of kindred enthusiasm in Thoreau, Whitman, Fuller, and other gifted Americans. Careful analysis of his vast reading reveals how Emerson drew inspiration from the world's classic literature yet maintained a fierce self-reliance that still defines one of the primary themes of our national culture. As in his biography of Thoreau, Richardson focuses principally on his subject's inner life, the life of his mind and spirit. But in this subtle portrayal of Emerson the thinker, the reader also sees the clearly lined portrait of Emerson the social activist, outraged by slavery and by oppressive Indian policies … by referring to many previously unavailable private letters and manuscripts, Richardson sheds light on both Emerson's emotions and his intellect. A masterful work, this biography will attract the attention of scholars and serious general readers for decades.”
Richardson's talk is sponsored by the English department at Union College.
For more information, call 388-6231.