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R.I. library honors other bicentennial births
Posted Online: Nov. 04, 2009, 5:34 pm
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By Jonathan Turner, jturner@qconline.com
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Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin aren't the only major historical figures to have 200th birth anniversaries in 2009. The Rock Island Public Library and Augustana College have been marking other anniversaries you might have overlooked. The 12th annual fall lecture series continues at 2 p.m. today with Augustana president Steven Bahls speaking at the main library, 401 19th St., Rock Island, about the wisdom of Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809-1894). Holmes was a poet, physician and philosopher -- as well as the father of renowned Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. -- and is regarded by many as one of the leading intellectuals of the mid-19th century, according to the library. His writings, including his widely quoted "Breakfast Table" series of essays, have been favorites of Mr. Bahls for many years. Mr. Bahls will consider not only Holmes' famous words of wisdom, but also the many ways in which they have been used in contexts far removed from their author's original intent. When his popular quotes are put into context, "they reveal subtler and more profound truths about such things as critical thinking (or lack thereof), ambition (or lack thereof), and calling (or lack thereof)," Mr. Bahls wrote recently. The "Frieze Lecture Series" partnership between the college and the library started with the 125th anniversary of Rock Island's library in 1998. It is named after the architectural feature of 12 authors' names carved in a frieze around the top of the landmark building. Coffee and conversation follow each free presentation. Roald Tweet, Augustana professor emeritus of English, will give the last lecture Nov. 12 on Alfred, Lord Tennyson's reaction to 19th-century science. Lord Tennyson served as Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom from 1850 until his death in 1892, one of the longest tenures in history. His writings often reflected a concern for the conflict between faith and scientific knowledge, according to the library. The first two lectures at the library spotlighted author Mary Wollstonecraft (mother of Mary Shelley), honored for the 250th anniversary of her birth, and composer and conductor Felix Mendelssohn. 
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