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“Passion for Poetry: The Importance of Verse-making to Nineteenth-Century America and Mary Baker Eddy”
The Library’s first program in its Arts and Sciences series on November 1, 2007 looked at the role poetry played in shaping the outlook and spirit of nineteenth and early twentieth-century America, and its meaning in the life and writing of Mary Baker Eddy.
The program consisted of a discussion panel, featuring Marian Carlson, co-author of American Genius: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and co-chair of the Longfellow Bi-Centennial; Angela Sorby, professor of English at Marquette University and author of Schoolroom Poets: Childhood, Performance, and the Place of American Poetry, 1865-1917; Paul Williams, past president of the Thoreau Society and professor emeritus in English at Principia College; and Jonathon Eder, Lending and Reference Room administrator of The Mary Baker Eddy Library.
The evening included recitations and performances of poetry of the era, including works by Mary Baker Eddy, as well as a sung performance of Longfellow’s Psalm of Life by noted Boston-area baritone, Brett Johnson.
See below for streaming video and video downloads of the talk.
