Tag: Literature: Biography

Gail Langer Karwoski on writing the story of America’s first legally married gay couple.

January 7, 2016

In June 2015, the Supreme Court of the United States announced that “same-sexcouples may exercise the fundamental right to marry.”Photograph by Angela Jimenez. ——-Writer Gail Langer Karwoski worked closely with Michael McConnell and Jack Baker, America’s first legally married gay couple, to tell their story in The Wedding Heard ‘Round the World: America’s First Gay … More Gail Langer Karwoski on writing the story of America’s first legally married gay couple.

The times they were a’changing. We were, too.

January 6, 2016

Michael McConnell and Jack Baker, America’s first legally married gay couple,apply for a marriage license in 1970 in Minnesota. Photograph by R.Bertrand Heine,courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society. ——-Writer Gail Langer Karwoski worked closely with Michael McConnell and Jack Baker, America’s first legally married gay couple, to tell their story in The Wedding Heard ‘Round … More The times they were a’changing. We were, too.

Reflection, renewal, and the art of canoeing. (With bonus Christmas meringue cookie recipe.)

December 16, 2015

Sue Leaf in May 2013 at the Minnesota River Valley National Wildlife Refuge. “On a river, roads seem not to exist and only the clear and sparkling water serves as a passage through the world,”writes Leaf. Photograph by Tom Leaf. BY SUE LEAF When I was a child, I was given the gift of a … More Reflection, renewal, and the art of canoeing. (With bonus Christmas meringue cookie recipe.)

Teenage rebellion by music? Not so prevalent anymore.

September 17, 2014

BY MARK ALLISTERProfessor of English, environmental studies, and American studies at St. Olaf College in Minnesota Teenage rebellion takes many forms, but teens rejecting their parents’ music is a less likely expression of that rebellion than it once was. When I was growing up, my mom and dad listened to opera, to their scratchy old … More Teenage rebellion by music? Not so prevalent anymore.

‘Pandemonium’ and the 20th anniversary of Derek Jarman’s passing

February 12, 2014

BY TONY PEAKEBiographer of Derek Jarman On the 19th of February, it will have been 20 years since Derek Jarman died, at age 52, of HIV-related causes. To mark the occasion, a range of activities have been planned in the UK, kicking off with Derek Jarman: Pandemonium, an exhibition at King’s College, London, where Jarman … More ‘Pandemonium’ and the 20th anniversary of Derek Jarman’s passing

Where William S. Burroughs became a writer

February 7, 2014

Source: Christiaan Tonnis, Flickr. The following is an excerpt from the lecture of author Jorge García-Robles, delivered today at The Burroughs Century in Bloomington, Indiana. Burroughs became a writer, as he himself tells it in the preface to Queer, on the afternoon of September 5th, 1951, in Apartment 10 of 122 Calle Monterrey, in the … More Where William S. Burroughs became a writer

The Burroughs Century

February 5, 2014

“There couldn’t be a society of people who didn’t dream. They’d be dead in two weeks.” —William S. Burroughs William S. Burroughs in 1951. Today, Feb. 5, 2014, William S. Burroughs would have turned 100 years old. In honor of this landmark birthday, the city of Bloomington, Indiana, is hosting a four-day festival, The Burroughs … More The Burroughs Century

"This is not, perhaps, the homily that most Americans will expect from me." —Walter Mondale

January 15, 2014

President Jimmy Carter with Walter Mondale before departing for Guadalupeon Jan. 4, 1979. Photo from the National Archives and Records Administration. The University of Minnesota Press has released in a new paperback edition The Good Fight: A Life in Liberal Politics, by former U.S. senator from Minnesota and former vice president of the United States, … More "This is not, perhaps, the homily that most Americans will expect from me." —Walter Mondale

Fitzgerald’s past and the writing of The Great Gatsby

May 9, 2013

Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald in September 1921 in Dellwood, Minnesota, about a month before their daughter, Scottie, was born. Image from Creative Commons; originates with Minnesota Historical Society. BY SCOTT DONALDSONLiterary biographer and author of Fool for Love: F. Scott Fitzgerald Toward the end of 1923, F. Scott Fitzgerald underwent one of his periods … More Fitzgerald’s past and the writing of The Great Gatsby

Integrity, survival, excellence: On the double life of George Cukor, one of the Golden Age’s great Hollywood directors.

February 6, 2013

Portrait of George Cukor in 1973 at home in Los Angeles. Q&A WITH BIOGRAPHER PATRICK MCGILLIGAN What is the first thing we need to know about George Cukor? Starting out, I myself knew very little about him really, even though I had met him when he was doing publicity for one of his last films. … More Integrity, survival, excellence: On the double life of George Cukor, one of the Golden Age’s great Hollywood directors.