Great Lives

Season: 2026

Great Lives Separator A slash icon used to separate content Archives for 2026

Season: 2026

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

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.