Robert Hicks to headline April 11 Landiss Lecture Series
Lacey Klotz |
Lipscomb University's annual free Landiss Lecture Series presents Lipscomb alumnus and New York Times best-selling author Robert Hicks (’73) on Tuesday, April 11, at 7:30 p.m. in the Doris Swang Chapel, located in the Ezell Center.
Recognized as a “master storyteller” by the San Francisco Chronicle, and “Nashville’s Master of Ceremonies” by Nashville Lifestyles magazine, Hicks is the award-winning author of The Widow of the South and A Separate Country, as well as a speaker, leader, world-traveler and preservationist.
During the free community event, Hicks will discuss his most recent book The Orphan Mother, an unforgettable story of one woman’s heroic struggle in the face of overwhelming adversity and the undeniable strength of a mother’s love.
The Orphan Mother begins the years following the Civil War, when Mariah Reddick, former slave to Carrie McGavock – the “Widow of the South” – has quietly built a new life for herself as a midwife to the women of Franklin, Tennessee. But when her ambitious, politically minded grown son, Theopolis, is murdered, Mariah – no stranger to loss – finds her world breaking apart. In her journey to uncover the truth, she must also confront the truths of her own past.
A reception and book signing will immediately follow the lecture.
A native of South Florida, Hicks’ has a passion not only for words but also for preserving the memory of the Battle of Franklin as well as Carnton plantation, which served as a hospital for the Army of Tennessee in the weeks following the battle.
Kimberly Reed, chair of English and Foreign Languages at Lipscomb, says she is happy to welcome both Hicks and community members to campus for this esteemed event, and is looking forward to hearing Hicks share his insights about fictionalizing Tennessee history.
“Robert Hicks is a marvelous storyteller and talks about both literature and history in a compelling manner,” said Reed. “Even those who have not read his works will enjoy his stories.”
The Landiss Lecture Series, presented by Lipscomb’s Department of English and Modern Languages, has brought programs from outstanding writers to the Lipscomb campus for nearly three decades. It was established in 1984 by Morris Landiss to create opportunities to stimulate intellectual growth for Lipscomb students, faculty, staff and administration as well as for the community surrounding Lipscomb.
For more information about the event, contact Kim Reed at 615.966.5810 or at kim.reed [at] lipscomb.edu. For more information about Hicks and The Orphan Mother, visit: www.robert-hicks.com.