Great Lives

Archives: Lectures

Great Lives Separator A slash icon used to separate content Archives for Lectures

Archives: Lectures

Season Date Lecture Speaker Media
Season Date Lecture Speaker Media
2026 Mar. 19 Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday Mark Lee Gardner
2026 Mar. 17 John Hancock Willard Sterne Randall
2026 Mar. 12 Gertrude Bell Janet Wallach​, in conversation with Nabil Al-Tikriti
2026 Mar. 10 Desi Arnaz Todd S. Purdum
2026 Feb. 26 Jemima Boone Matthew Pearl
2026 Feb. 24 Elizabeth Packard Kate Moore
2026 Feb. 19 Ellington, Armstrong, and Basie Larry Tye
2026 Feb. 17 The Brothers Grimm Ann Schmiesing
2026 Feb. 12 Jerry West Jonathan Coleman
2026 Feb. 10 Robert Crumb Dan Nadel
2026 Feb. 5 Judy Blume Rachelle Bergstein
2026 Feb. 3 Lorne Michaels Susan Morrison
2026 Jan. 29 Barbara Jordan Mary Ellen Curtin
2026 Jan. 27 John Williams Tim Greiving
2026 Jan. 22 Aimee Semple McPherson Claire Hoffman
2026 Jan. 20 Paul Revere Kostya Kennedy
2025 Apr. 3 Pat Nixon Health Hardage Lee
2025 Apr. 1 John Lewis Raymond Arsenault
2025 Mar. 20 Jay Gatsby Bob Batchelor
2025 Mar. 18 Hedy Lamarr Stephen Michael Shearer

Great Lives

Help Great Lives Live On

This compelling lecture series offers insight into a wide and diverse range of figures of historical and cultural significance. These presentations are delivered by eminent authorities from throughout this country — and abroad. Thanks to a substantial initial endowment and continuing annual support from John Chappell, the program is open to the public free of charge and no admission tickets are required. Public support — via attendance, donations, and ideas about future lecture topics — is vital to the continuation of this program.

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Weather Cancellations

When the University of Mary Washington is closed due to inclement weather the Great Lives Lecture is cancelled for that evening. To check for cancellations due to inclement weather, visit the Campus Advisories page, or the UMW Information Line at 540-654-2424.