Celebrated author Walter Mosley to speak in Humanities Lecture Series

LAWRENCE — Walter Mosley, novelist and social commentator, will speak at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 7 in the Kansas Memorial Union Ballroom. “Political Optimism in the Age of Trump” is free and open to the public. A reception and book signing will take place after the lecture.

Mosley is the author of more than 50 books, from crime novels to political essays to science fiction, and is perhaps most well-known for his Easy Rawlins detective series. The first African-American to serve on the board of directors of the National Book Awards, Mosley has received an O’Henry Award, The Sundance Risktaker Award, a Grammy and two NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Literary Work. In 2016, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual Edgar Awards, and he was named the first African-American “Grand Master” by the Mystery Writers of America. 

Mosley will also take part in an informal talk the next day. A Breakfast & Conversation session will take place at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 8 in the Hall Center Conference Hall. The event is open to the public, but RSVP is required by Friday, Feb. 1, by email or by calling 785-864-4798. The Breakfast & Conversation is sponsored by the Friends of the Hall Center.

Founded in 1947, the Humanities Lecture Series is the oldest continuing series at KU. More than 150 eminent scholars from around the world have participated in the program, including author Salman Rushdie, poet Gwendolyn Brooks and evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins. Recent speakers have included Neil Gaiman, Maria Hinojosa and Zadie Smith. Shortly after the program’s inception, a lecture by one outstanding KU faculty member was added to the schedule. For information on the series, visit the Hall Center website.