IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Heather Schultz, 215/299-1066
HISTORIAN DAVID McCULLOUGH LECTURES AT THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES AS PART OF AN INTERNATIONAL JOHN BARTRAM SYMPOSIUM, MAY 19-21, 1999
PHILADELPHIA -- Famed biographer, historian and PBS host David McCullough will deliver the keynote address on Wednesday, May 19, for Bartram 300: A Gathering, a 3-day international symposium.
The symposium, which takes place at The Academy of Natural Sciences May 19, 20 and 21 features panel discussions by international experts in celebration of the 300th anniversary of America's first botanist, John Bartram (1699-1777). During the keynote address at the Academy, McCullough will discuss the enormous impact of Bartram on 18th century science.
The public is invited to hear and meet McCullough and attend his lecture on May 19. A reception will take place at 6pm, followed by the lecture at 7pm and book signing following the lecture. There is a $35 fee to attend the evening's events. For reservations, call Historic Bartram's Garden, one of the event's sponsors, at 215/729-5281. To register for the symposium or for more information, contact Historic Bartram's Garden at (215) 729-5281, email [email protected], or see the Bartram 300 Celebration web page, http://www.libertynet.org/bartram.
McCullough is widely hailed as a "master of the art" of narrative history. His books are lauded for their fluid narration, exceptional scholarship and poignant insight into American life. He was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for his celebrated book Truman and twice won the National Book Award and the prestigious Francis Parkman Prize. Other honors include The National Book Foundation Distinguished Contribution to American Letters Award, the Charles Frankel Prize given by the National Endowment for the Humanities, The St. Louis Literary Award, and the New York Public Library's Literary Lion Award. He belongs to an elite group of authors who can boast that their books have never gone out of print. McCullough's books include The Johnston Flood, The Great Bridge, The Path between the Seas, Mornings on Horseback and Brave Companions.
The symposium, Bartram 300: A Gathering, will examine the life and legacy of John Bartram, a Philadelphia Quaker botanist and plant explorer. Bartram was a towering figure in 18th century Philadelphia's scientific community. He and son William were responsible for discovering and propagating more than 200 plant species. During the three-day symposium, 14 esteemed scholars, historians and scientists will discuss Bartram's ground-breaking scientific expeditions and discoveries as well as his contributions to horticulture, botany, environmentalism and preservation.
Bartram 300: A Gathering is sponsored by The Academy of Natural Sciences, The John Bartram Association, The American Philosophical Society, The Library Company of Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Botanical Club and The Pennsylvania Horticulture Society.
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The mission of The Academy of Natural Sciences is to expand knowledge of nature through discovery and to inspire stewardship of the environment.
The Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia is located at 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, on Logan Circle. For information or directions please call (215) 299-1000.
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