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
We're closed Monday October 14
Mon, Oct 14 Closed
Tue, Oct 15 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Oct 16 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Thu, Oct 17 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Fri, Oct 18 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, Oct 19 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Oct 20 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

Tue, Oct 15, 1:00pm - 3:00pm

Tue, Oct 15, 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Tue, Oct 15, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
This event is full

Wed, Oct 16, 1:00pm - 3:00pm

Wed, Oct 16, 3:00pm - 5:00pm

Thu, Oct 17, 1:00pm - 3:00pm

Fri, Oct 18, 11:00am - 12:00pm

Fri, Oct 18, 1:00pm - 1:30pm

Fri, Oct 18, 1:00pm - 3:00pm

Sat, Oct 19, 10:00am - 11:00am

Sat, Oct 19, 11:00am - 4:00pm

Sat, Oct 19, 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Sun, Oct 20, 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Mon, Oct 21, 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Mon, Oct 21, 6:00pm - 7:00pm

Tue, Oct 22, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
This event is full

Cancelled
Tue, Oct 22, 6:30pm - 7:30pm

Wed, Oct 23, 3:00pm - 5:00pm

Thu, Oct 24, 11:00am - 11:45am

Fri, Oct 25, 11:00am - 12:00pm

Fri, Oct 25, 1:00pm - 4:30pm

Sat, Oct 26, 10:00am - 11:00am

Sat, Oct 26, 11:00am - 2:00pm

Sat, Oct 26, 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Sun, Oct 27, 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Mon, Oct 28, 4:30pm - 5:30pm

Mon, Oct 28, 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Tue, Oct 29, 4:30pm - 5:30pm

Tue, Oct 29, 6:00pm - 7:00pm

Cancelled
Tue, Oct 29, 6:30pm - 7:30pm

Wed, Oct 30, 3:00pm - 5:00pm

Fri, Nov 01, 11:00am - 11:30am

Sat, Nov 02, 11:00am - 4:00pm

Cancelled
Mon, Nov 04, 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Tue, Nov 05, 6:00pm - 7:00pm

Cancelled
Tue, Nov 05, 6:30pm - 7:30pm

Tue, Nov 12, 6:00pm - 7:00pm

Cancelled
Tue, Nov 12, 6:30pm - 7:30pm

Wed, Nov 13, 3:00pm - 4:00pm