Huntington Mourns The Passing Of Richard N. Goodwin

Huntington Theatre Company leadership and staff were saddened to learn that playwright and former Huntington Trustee Richard N. Goodwin died last evening, May 20, of cancer.

In addition to being an esteemed adviser to Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, and a consultant to many Democratic leaders, Goodwin was the author of the play Two Men of Florence, produced by the Huntington in 2009, and he served on the Huntington's Board of Trustees from 2009 to 2012.

Two Men of Florence recounted the confrontation between Pope Urban VIII and Galileo, who was accused of heresy for arguing that the Earth was not the center of the universe. The play was a success for the Huntington with both critics and audiences.

"Dick Goodwin gave us a play with scope and scale - with big ideas of a kind that don't come along all that often," said Huntington Managing Director Michael Maso. "It was a privilege, as well as great fun, to get to know him and his wife Doris, two larger-than-life figures who have each played an extraordinary role in the history of this country for 50 years. Our thoughts and sincere condolences are with Doris and their family."