'Dead Wake' author speaks
Noted author Erik Larson addresses UD Library Associates' Annual Dinner
8:05 a.m., April 25, 2016--The 2016 Annual Dinner of the University of Delaware Library Associates was held on Wednesday, April 6, in Arsht Hall at the University of Delaware in Wilmington.
The University of Delaware Library Associates is the friends group which supports the University Library. Over 175 people attended the event, which began with a hospitality hour and the opportunity to speak to the featured speaker, Erik Larson, author of Dead Wake, who signed copies of his books.
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Music was included by pianist Michael Arenson, a retired faculty member of the University’s music department.
Wilson J.C. Braun Jr., president of the University of Delaware Library Associates, moderated the program. Remarks were also made by Nancy Targett, acting president of the University; Domenico Grasso, provost; and Sandra Millard, interim vice provost and director of libraries of the University of Delaware Library. Grasso announced the new hire of Trevor A. Dawes, vice provost for libraries and museums and May Morris librarian.
Braun, on behalf of the membership of the library associates, presented a gift check of $65,000 to Targett, Grasso and Millard for the University Library to acquire manuscripts, rare books and other special items that will be accessible via Special Collections, located on the second floor in the Morris Library.
The first installment of the gift of $40,000 was presented in November 2015 at the library associates’ board meeting. The two installments for 2015-16 make the total fiscal year gift as $105,000, an increase over the 2014-15 gift and a record gift for the library associates.
The 2015-16 gift made at the events mentioned resulted from the fundraising efforts including the membership renewal appeal, the year-end appeal, other monetary gifts made throughout the year by members of the library associates as well as funds from the endowment of the library associates.
During dessert, Braun gave the introduction of the featured speaker, Larson. Larson began his presentation with information related to the University of Delaware Library in his book, In the Garden of Beasts.
Larson said he never intended to develop the character of George Messersmith for that 2012 critically-acclaimed bestseller. Larson mentioned that the more he investigated Messersmith, the more he wanted to include him in the book.
His research included the George S. Messersmith’s papers, which are housed in the University of Delaware’s Morris Library Special Collections, and available online. Larson used the electronic version but largely he worked with the actual papers physically in Special Collections.
Larson said he utilized many original resources when writing In the Garden of Beasts, where Messersmith plays a fascinating supporting role. In that book’s footnotes, Larson credits the University of Delaware Library for housing and offering “one of the most beautifully archived collections I’ve ever come across.”
He also spoke about his newest book, Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania, which is about the 1915 sinking of the ocean liner Lusitania. Larson provided a number of anecdotes regarding the research for Dead Wake and he answered numerous questions from the audience regarding his books, his research and more.
At the completion of the program, Larson signed more of his books and socialized into the evening with dinner attendees, talking and laughing. He clearly enjoyed interacting with members of the audience.
Information about membership in the University of Delaware Library Associates is available online or a printed version of the membership may be sent upon request via email to UDLA@udel.edu or to 302-831-2231. New members are always welcome.