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Taylor Branch

Pulitzer Prize-winning author to discuss Martin Luther King, Bill Clinton
[09.13.2010]

TAMPA, Fla. - Pulitzer Prize-winning, public speaker, National Humanities Medal recipient, MacArthur Foundation recipient and sometimes even musician, Taylor Branch will be speaking at 7 p.m., on Sept. 14, at the Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts (Jaeb Theater) as part of the USF Phi Beta Kappa Faculty Lecture Series.

His lecture, "Leadership lessons from Martin Luther King and William J. Clinton," will be based off of his own research on King and conversations with President Clinton.

Branch is best known for his narratives that review the Civil Rights era and King. The "America in the King Years" trilogy has won numerous awards including the Pulitzer Prize for history. Branch spent about 24 years researching for the 2,912-page trilogy.

Branch also has worked at and contributed to many publications including: The Washington Monthly, Harper's, Esquire Magazine, The New York Times Magazine and The New Republic.

When he isn't writing, Branch travels the nation speaking to a variety of people, from elementary students to religious institutions and even San Quentin prisoners.

Branch's awards include a MacArthur Foundation Fellowship, the Dayton Literary Peace Prize's Lifetime Achievement Award and the National Humanities Medal. His latest book, "The Clinton Tapes: Wrestling History with the President," was released in 2009. The book stems from recorded conversations Branch and President Clinton had during Clinton's terms in office.

After being an author and public speaker, Branch also is known as a musician. Along with two friends, Branch has recorded and released two CDs in tribute to the Beatles.

The USF Phi Beta Kappa Faculty Lecture Series is co-sponsored by the USF Phi Beta Kappa Faculty Alumni, USF College of Arts and Sciences, USF Office of the Provost and the Mayor of Tampa. The aim of the series is to bring leading public intellectuals to USF and to Tampa to interact with students, faculty, staff and members of our community.

-USF-

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Author: Amanda Stone
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