Eric Foner, Pulitzer Prize Winning Historian to Visit GCC in 2012

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Pulitzer Prize winning author, professor and historian, Eric Foner

BATAVIA, NY (11/21/2011)(readMedia)-- Community residents should save the date for a presentation by Pulitzer Prize winning author, professor and historian, Eric Foner. Mr. Foner is regarded as a leading contemporary historian of the post-Civil War Reconstruction period and has published several articles and books on the subject. He will visit the Batavia Campus of Genesee Community College on Wednesday, October 10, 2012 for a lecture in the Stuart Steiner Theatre followed by a book signing.

Currently a professor of history at Columbia University, Eric Foner is the recipient for many awards for history writing, and has written more than ten books on the topic. In 2011, The Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery, Foner's most recent book, was selected as the recipient of the Pulitzer Prize, Lincoln Prize and the Bancroft Prize.

"I am thrilled at the prospect of having Dr. Foner visit GCC. It is not often you can rub elbows with a Pulitzer Prize-winner. As a historian, I recognize him as a giant in the field. His work on the Civil War and Reconstruction has shaped my own interpretation in important ways," Derek Maxfield, instructor of History at GCC said. "His newest book, The Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery, is destined to be a definitive work that is sure to be a standard which other works will be measured against."

Mr. Foner's visit is another development for the GCC's Civil War Initiative (CWI), a multi-year program for community members to learn about and commemorate the rich history of the American Civil War. The CWI will provide several opportunities throughout the year to discover the history of the Civil War through lectures, movies and other educational activities.

Further information will be forthcoming; please contact Derek Maxfield at 585-343-0055-6288 for additional details.

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