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Archive: 2015 (136 Posts)

Image of an ornate clock showing 2:05 with sculpted male figures sitting on each side of the clock face

Two Worlds Collide – Erich Leinsdorf Meets Janis Joplin

Posted by: Erin Allen

The following post has been written by Kevin McBrien, one of 36 college students participating in the Library of Congress 2015 Junior Fellows Summer Intern Program. McBrien graduated in May from California State University at Long Beach with a bachelor’s degree in music history and literature. He begins graduate school in the fall and hopes …

Image of an ornate clock showing 2:05 with sculpted male figures sitting on each side of the clock face

History You Could Really Sink Your Teeth Into

Posted by: Jennifer Gavin

E.L. Doctorow, a giant of American letters who uplifted the genre of the historical novel, died yesterday at the age of 84. The author of “Ragtime,” “World’s Fair,” “Billy Bathgate,” “The March,” “Welcome to Hard Times” and “Andrew’s Brain,” among many other works of fiction, will be much missed. Doctorow was the recipient of the …

Image of an ornate clock showing 2:05 with sculpted male figures sitting on each side of the clock face

Curators’ Picks: The Art of Theatrical Design

Posted by: Erin Allen

The following is a feature from the May/June 2015 issue of the Library of Congress Magazine, LCM. Co-curators Daniel Boomhower and Walter Zvonchenko of the Music Division highlight items from the Library’s exhibition, “Grand Illusion: The Art of Theatrical Design.” This week is your last chance to stop by the Library to see what’s on …

Image of an ornate clock showing 2:05 with sculpted male figures sitting on each side of the clock face

Inquiring Minds: An Interview With Author James McGrath Morris

Posted by: Erin Allen

James McGrath Morris is an author, columnist and radio show host. He writes primarily biographies and works of narrative nonfiction. He discusses his newest book, “Eye on the Struggle: Ethel Payne, the First Lady of the Black Press,” tomorrow, July 21, at the Library. Read more about it here. Tell us about your new book ”Eye …

Image of an ornate clock showing 2:05 with sculpted male figures sitting on each side of the clock face

Look What I Discovered: Life as a Mary Wolfskill Trust Fund Intern

Posted by: Erin Allen

Today’s post has been written by Logan Tapscott, one of 36 college students participating in the Library of Congress 2015 Junior Fellows Summer Intern Program. Tapscott is completing a modified dual degree through the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education: a master of arts degree in public history from Shippensburg University and a masters in …

Image of an ornate clock showing 2:05 with sculpted male figures sitting on each side of the clock face

Letters About Literature: Dear Mary Oliver

Posted by: Erin Allen

In this final installment of our Letters About Literature spotlight, we feature the Level 3 National Prize-winning letter of Aidan Kingwell of Illinois, who wrote to Mary Oliver about her poem “When Death Comes.” Kingwell’s poem also recently made the news. Letters About Literature, a national reading and writing program that asks young people in grades …

Image of an ornate clock showing 2:05 with sculpted male figures sitting on each side of the clock face

Willie Nelson to Receive Gershwin Prize

Posted by: Erin Allen

So great is his impact on music, even folks who never bought a country album instantly recognize Willie Nelson: the headband, grizzled beard and long braids; the quavering, nasal voice and off-beat phrasing; the sound of Trigger, his nylon-stringed Martin guitar; the laid-back character out for a good time. “Bring along your Cadillac, leave my …

Image of an ornate clock showing 2:05 with sculpted male figures sitting on each side of the clock face

Inquiring Minds: Anna Coleman Ladd and WWI Veterans

Posted by: Erin Allen

(The following is a story written by Megan Harris of the Veterans History Project and featured in the Library of Congress staff newsletter, The Gazette.  )  Last month, eighth-graders Benjamin King, Maria Ellsworth and Cristina Escajadillo – all students at the Singapore American School – performed an original 10-minute play at the Library of Congress inspired …

Image of an ornate clock showing 2:05 with sculpted male figures sitting on each side of the clock face

Letters About Literature: Dear Walter Isaacson

Posted by: Erin Allen

We continue our spotlight of letters from the Letters About Literature initiative, a national reading and writing program that asks young people in grades 4 through 12 to write to an author (living or deceased) about how his or her book affected their lives. Winners were announced last week. In this next installment, we highlight the …