Kay Redfield Jamison Discusses 'Robert Lowell, Setting the River on Fire' at The Seattle Public Library March 15
release date: March 7, 2017
Psychiatry professor and best-selling author Kay Redfield Jamison will talk about the relationship between poet Robert Lowell's bipolar illness and his creativity, examining how the illness and related treatment impacted his work, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 15 at the Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Level 1, Microsoft Auditorium, 206-386-4636.
Library events are free and open to the public. Registration is not required. Parking in the Central Library garage will be available for $6 after 5 p.m.
"Robert Lowell, Setting the River on Fire" takes a look at a major American poet of the 20th century, studying the relationship between bipolar illness, creative genius and character. In his Pulitzer Prize-winning poetry, Lowell put his illness into the public domain. His New England roots, early breakdowns, marriages to three eminent writers, friendships with other poets, vivid presence as a teacher and writer refusing to give up in the face of mental illness-Jamison surveys the whole of Lowell's life through a lens that focuses on the poet's intense discipline, courage and commitment to his art.
Jamison is a professor of psychiatry at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine as well as an honorary professor of English at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. She is the author of the national best-sellers "An Unquiet Mind," "Night Falls Fast" and "Touched with Fire." She is co-author of the standard medical text on manic-depressive illness and author or co-author of more than 100 scientific papers about mood disorders, creativity and psychopharmacology. Jamison is also a John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Fellow and the recipient of numerous national and international scientific awards.
This event is supported by The Seattle Public Library Foundation, author series sponsor Gary Kunis, and media sponsor The Seattle Times and presented in partnership with The Elliott Bay Book Co. Books will be available for purchase and signing.