The president and the devilfish: Renowned author Macomber brings a one-night talk to SWFL

Beyond his presidency, Theodore Roosevelt was a passionate conservationist, and his last great outdoor adventure happened on and around Southwest Florida's waters.

In the spring of 1917, less than two years before he died, Roosevelt ventured to Captiva and its environs to hunt for what was then called devilfish - the giant coastal manta ray.

And who better to tell the tale than historian Robert N. Macomber, himself an adventurer, celebrated author, internationally acclaimed lecturer, former Dept. of Defense consultant, media commentator and accomplished seaman?

Multi-award-winning Southwest Florida author Macomber will speak about that voyage at a special presentation to benefit the Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife Dec. 9.

Macomber's lecture, "The President and the Devil Fish," will recount Roosevelt's 1917 expedition to the mangrove coast of Southwest Florida to capture one of the giant shark cousins for the Smithsonian Institution.

Macomber will share details of Roosevelt's life and times, of the motley crew that accompanied him, of his immediate love of the islands, and detail the hunt itself and its aftermath.

Though Roosevelt was never to visit the area again, Macomber says his legacy lives on in the region, including the storied Roosevelt Channel between Captiva and Buck Key.

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Named “2020 Florida Writer of the Year” by the Florida Writers Association, he's best known for the 17 novels completing his ‘Honor Series,’ maritime thrillers describing the life and career of his protagonist, a U.S. naval officer, Peter Wake, from the American Civil War in Florida, beyond the Spanish-American War in 1898, and well into the 1900s with Wake’s legacy stretching for generations.

When not traveling for research treks, lecture tours, or book signings, Macomber enjoys cooking exotic cuisines inspired by his novels and sailing quietly among remote islands.

If you go

Robert Macomber appears Wednesday, Dec. 6 to benefit the Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife at Rotary Park, 5505 Rose Garden Rd., Cape Coral. The event is free, but seats must be reserved in advance by emailing michelemccfw@gmail.com.

6:30 p.m.: Social gathering

7 p.m.:  Presentation

7:45 p.m.: Book signing

Go to https://ccfriendsofwildlife.org for more information.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Robert Macomber to recount Roosevelt's 1917 expedition to SWFL