Renowned Civil War historian and Rhode Island Supreme Court Justice (Ret.) Frank J. Williams will present a public lecture at the Starkville Public Library this Friday [Dec. 9], beginning at 2 p.m. Justice Williams' topic will be "Abraham Lincoln as Commander-in-Chief," and he will answer questions and lead a discussion on our 16th president.
Justice Williams has had a wide and varied career. A veteran of the U.S. Army who served in Vietnam and along the border of the old Iron Curtain, he began his legal career as an attorney in his home state of Rhode Island and rose to the highest judicial post there. At the same time, he authored books on Lincoln, served as president of the American Lincoln Association, founded the Lincoln Forum and remains its chairman, is president of the U.S. Grant Association, was a member of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, and is presently a member of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Foundation. He has lectured throughout the U.S. and Europe.
Williams also will deliver MSU's commencement address during graduation ceremonies, which begin Friday at 7 p.m. at Humphrey Coliseum.
For more information on Friday's presentation, which is free and open to the public, please contact John Marszalek at 325-4552 or Lyle Tate at 325-2559.