Skip to main content
close
Font size options
Increase or decrease the font size for this website by clicking on the 'A's.
Contrast options
Choose a color combination to give the most comfortable contrast.
Image for event: My Life with Riley

Registration now closed

My Life with Riley

In-Person Lecture and Q&A Session

2024-10-06 15:00:00 2024-10-06 16:15:00 America/Indiana/Indianapolis My Life with Riley Join us at Central Library with James Whitcomb Riley biographer Elizabeth J. Van Allen, PhD. She'll share her journey of discovery regarding the complexities of the Hoosier poet’s personality, his rise to fame, his work, and his continuing importance and legacy. Central Library -

Sunday, October 06
3:00pm - 4:15pm

Add to Calendar 2024-10-06 15:00:00 2024-10-06 16:15:00 America/Indiana/Indianapolis My Life with Riley Join us at Central Library with James Whitcomb Riley biographer Elizabeth J. Van Allen, PhD. She'll share her journey of discovery regarding the complexities of the Hoosier poet’s personality, his rise to fame, his work, and his continuing importance and legacy. Central Library -

Join us at Central Library with James Whitcomb Riley biographer Elizabeth J. Van Allen, PhD. She'll share her journey of discovery regarding the complexities of the Hoosier poet’s personality, his rise to fame, his work, and his continuing importance and legacy.

Culture, History, and Society: Rare Books and Special Collections—James Whitcomb Riley experienced fame and fortune as few writers do in their lifetimes because he provided messages that endeared him to a wide range of Americans in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His unprecedented popularity as a poet led many critics and authors to believe that Riley would forever be recognized as a major figure in American literature. Although his status in the literary canon has dwindled, Riley’s writing, which expresses the “local color” of the region, holds a particularly special place for Hoosiers. During this program, Riley biographer Elizabeth J. Van Allen, PhD will share her journey of discovery regarding the complexities of the Hoosier poet’s personality, his rise to fame, his work, and his continuing importance and legacy.

Previewing Materials and Online Resources:
Riley Collection (IndyPL)
James Whitcomb Riley, 1849-1916 (Digital Indy)
James Whitcomb Riley: The Hoosier Poet (Encyclopedia of Indianapolis)
Riley, James Whitcomb: Biography (Gale In Context)

Location: Held in the Indianapolis Special Collections Room (ISCR) on the 6th floor within Central Library located at 40 East Saint Clair Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204.

Parking: The Central Library has a parking garage available to patrons during their time at the Library. Garage pricing information. The garage can be accessed on Pennsylvania Street.

This free in-person lecture is part of the Culture, History, and Society: Rare Books and Special Collections programs hosted by the Indianapolis Special Collections Room (ISCR) located on the 6th floor within Central Library. Made possible by Friends of the Library through gifts to The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation

Age Group: Adults

Contact: Special Collections Librarian Montoya Barker

Central Library

Phone: 317-275-4100

Hours
Skip opening hours widget
We're closed Monday January 26 due to the inclement weather.
We're closed Tuesday January 27
Mon, Jan 26 Closed
(the inclement weather.)
Tue, Jan 27 Closed
Wed, Jan 28 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Thu, Jan 29 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Fri, Jan 30 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, Jan 31 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Feb 01 1:00PM to 5:00PM

About the branch

As the hub of the Indianapolis Public Library system, Central Library showcases renowned architecture and services. The original 1917 building, designed by Paul Cret and constructed of Indiana limestone in the Greek Doric style, was considered one of the most outstanding secular buildings in the U.S. Its six-story glass and steel-framed addition, designed by Evans Woollen, opened in 2007.

Upcoming events

Skip Branch Events widget
Thu, Jan 29, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Registration is now closed

Thu, Jan 29, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Registration is now closed

Fri, Jan 30, 11:00am - 12:00pm

Sat, Jan 31, 10:00am - 11:00am

Sat, Jan 31, 10:30am - 12:30pm
This event is full

Sat, Jan 31, 11:00am - 3:00pm

Sat, Jan 31, 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Sun, Feb 01, 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Mon, Feb 02, 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Tue, Feb 03, 5:00pm - 7:00pm

Tue, Feb 03, 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Tue, Feb 03, 6:00pm - 7:30pm

Wed, Feb 04, 3:00pm - 5:00pm

Fri, Feb 06, 1:00pm - 1:45pm

Sat, Feb 07, 10:00am - 11:00am

Sat, Feb 07, 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Sat, Feb 07, 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Sat, Feb 07, 2:30pm - 4:30pm
This event is full

Sun, Feb 08, 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Mon, Feb 09, 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Tue, Feb 10, 5:00pm - 7:00pm

Tue, Feb 10, 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Tue, Feb 10, 6:00pm - 7:30pm

Wed, Feb 11, 3:00pm - 5:00pm

Fri, Feb 13, 11:00am - 12:00pm

Sat, Feb 14, 10:00am - 11:00am

Sat, Feb 14, 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Sat, Feb 14, 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Sun, Feb 15, 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Mon, Feb 16, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
This event is full

Mon, Feb 16, 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Tue, Feb 17, 5:00pm - 7:00pm

Tue, Feb 17, 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Tue, Feb 17, 6:00pm - 7:00pm

Tue, Feb 17, 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Wed, Feb 18, 3:00pm - 5:00pm

Sat, Feb 21, 10:00am - 11:00am

Sat, Feb 21, 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Sat, Feb 21, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Makerspace

Sat, Feb 21, 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Sun, Feb 22, 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Mon, Feb 23, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
This event is full

Mon, Feb 23, 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Tue, Feb 24, 5:00pm - 7:00pm

Tue, Feb 24, 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Tue, Feb 24, 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Tue, Feb 24, 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Wed, Feb 25, 3:00pm - 5:00pm

Thu, Feb 26, 4:30pm - 5:30pm

Fri, Feb 27, 11:00am - 11:30am

Sat, Feb 28, 10:00am - 11:00am

Sat, Feb 28, 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Sat, Feb 28, 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Sat, Feb 28, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Makerspace