Harvard scholar and poet set to discuss Hero in Ancient Greek Epics as Visiting Writer

Visiting Writer Kevin McGrath, poet-in-residence at Lowell House and Associate of the Department of South Asian Studies at Harvard University, will discuss the Hero in Ancient Greek Epics from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Jan. 21 at Terry Concert Hall.

“Essentially what we are doing is addressing the question “what does it mean to be human’,” says Dr. McGrath, who co-taught a Harvard Extension School course on the subject for several years. “The (Greek) culture is profoundly different from our modernist Asian or Western cultures.”

Dr. McGrath has published five books of poetry, a memoir of his life in India, and eight scholarly works on the ancient Indian epic, The Mahabharata.

The Jan. 21 event includes a reception and book signing following Dr. McGrath’s presentation. This event is free and open to everyone. To reserve your seat, please contact writer@ju.edu no later than Friday, Jan. 17.

In addition, Dr. McGrath will be speaking on Indian Epic during a smaller event for the campus community at 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 22 at 2:30 p.m. in Usen Auditorium. He will also conduct a poetry reading at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 23 at River House and plans to meet with several English and Philosophy classes during his visit.

Dr. McGrath’s visit is sponsored by the Jacksonville University Departments of English and Philosophy.

For questions or accommodations, please email Dr. Julie Brannon or Dr. Erich Freiberger.