Grosse Pointe Public Library Hosts IF WE BE FRIENDS, 2/25

The Friends of the Grosse Pointe Public Library has announced the third program of their Classics Books Lecture Series, "If We Be Friends: Shakespeare and His Audience," Thursday, February 25th, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. The talk will be presented by Dr. Ralph Williams, of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in the library of Grosse Pointe South High School , 11 Grosse Pointe Boulevard at Fisher Road in Grosse Pointe Farms . General admission is $10. The lecture is free to members of Friends, students and teachers with identification. For more information call 313-343-2074 ext. 6 or visit www.gpfriends.org.

A popular, dramatic and animated speaker, Professor Ralph Williams received U of M's annuAl Golden Apple Award in 1992 for his teaching. In 2008 Professor Williams was selected as Michigan Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for Advancement of Teaching. Upon his retirement in 2009, after a 39-year career, he was awarded the first-ever Lifetime Achievement Golden Apple Award.

Ralph Williams, was an Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of English in the Department of English, Language and Literature at the University of Michigan. He has studied 15 languages including Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic, and uses Italian, French, and Latin, especially frequently.  He specializes in Medieval and Renaissance literature, Shakespeare, literary theory, comparative literature and Biblical studies. He has taught such wide-ranging courses as The Bible in English, plus the literature of Chaucer to Frederick Douglass, to the works of Primo Levi and the Memory of Auschwitz.

Professor Williams was Associate Chair of the Department of English (for the second time) from 1999 to 2002. He also served from 1996 to 1999 as Director of the Program on Studies in Religion. While Associate Chair of the English Department, he was instrumental in creating and developing the Royal Shakespeare Company Residency program at the University of Michigan and continues to be involved with their annual visit. He has worked closely with the University Musical Society to further the activities of the RSC Residency.

The Friends of the Grosse Pointe Public Library is a non-profit volunteer organization. They invite new friends to join, participate in their activities and have fun in support of the public library. Among the membership benefits is free admittance to all Classics Books Lectures. For information write to: Friends of the Grosse Pointe Public Library, 10 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236, call 313.343.2074 ext. 6, or see the website at www.gpfriends.org.

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