Library system hosts Pulitzer-winning presidential historian, honors late supporter at lecture series

Sep. 6—The Lackawanna County Library System will bring a presidential historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author to Scranton while honoring a longtime supporter of its lecture series.

This year's American Masters Lecture features Doris Kearns Goodwin on Wednesday, Sept. 13, at Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple, 420 N. Washington Ave. The event begins at 7 p.m.

Tickets are free and available at all Lackawanna County library branches and online at eventbrite.com.

"We are extremely proud to be hosting Doris Kearns Goodwin for this year's lecture," said Mary Garm, executive director of the library system. "We anticipate great interest in her appearance and a large turnout for her lecture."

Before Goodwin takes the stage, the library system will posthumously name James M. Vipond of Waverly Twp. — a founding member of the speaker selection committee who contributed to the series' growth and development — the William W. Scranton Library Laureate. The award presentation to Vipond's family will include a short documentary about his life.

Vipond served as executive director of the Everhart Museum when the American Masters Lecture series was conceived as a collaborative event to showcase the cultural riches of Lackawanna County, and he remained an enthusiastic advocate over the years. He died Aug. 13, 2022.

The library system presents the award in memory of Gov. William W. Scranton, "a man well known for his love of libraries and reading." Joe Gibbons, Mary Belin Rhodes and attorneys Brian J. Cali and James W. Reid previously held the laureate title.

Garm said Goodwin was at the top of the selection committee's list of possible speakers this year for her significant works on a number of U.S. presidents.

She's the author of seven books, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning "No Ordinary Time: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt: The Home Front in World War II" and "Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln," which inspired Steven Spielberg's film "Lincoln" starring Daniel Day-Lewis. Her most recent book, "Leadership in Turbulent Times," published to critical acclaim in 2018.

Through her independent production company Pastimes Productions Inc., Goodwin executive produced for three miniseries that premiered on the History Channel. She's also been a consultant and source for history documentaries, and consulted for the HBO film "All the Way" starring Bryan Cranston as President Lyndon B. Johnson. Goodwin worked with Johnson as a White House fellow and later assisted in writing his memoirs.

Goodwin's visit is especially exciting for Garm, who plans on retiring from the library system at the end of this year.

"I am a huge fan of Doris Kearns Goodwin, and I'm delighted that she is going to be the person who's coming here to do this lecture that will be the last one in my career," Garm said. "I have read all of her books. She is certainly a role model. She is a fascinating person, and I think it'll be great to have her here."

Goodwin will sign books after the lecture. Library Express Bookstore in the Marketplace at Steamtown, 300 Lackawanna Ave., will have her books for sale. Guests also can purchase copies at the lecture or bring their own.

The Lackawanna County Library System looks forward to welcoming another Pulitzer Prize winner to Scranton, Garm said. Most recently, the lecture series featured two-time Pulitzer Prize-winner Colson Whitehead in 2019.

Grants and donations from area foundations, businesses and individuals allow the library system to offer its American Masters Lecture series free to the community. Last year, author David Sedaris delivered the lecture.

"We have made it possible for anybody in Lackawanna County to see these world-class speakers, regardless of their income or ability to pay, and I think that's just amazing," Garm said.

For more information, visit lclshome.org.

Contact the writer:

bwilliams@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5107;

@BWilliamsTT on X