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Tim Lewis talk slated

Penn Bowers

By By Penn Bowers Guest Columnist
Published: February 04, 2009

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Tim Lewis is a 54-year-old Englishman who is now a U.S. citizen and resident of Charlottesville. He is a published author, historian and poet with seven books to his credit. He has judged and won poetry competitions, including the Virginia Writing Competition, and he runs writing classes and tutors authors across the country.

Lewis will speak to the Madison County Historical Society about his seventh published book, “The Virginiad.”

Through the voices of many Virginians, he examines the history of Virginia from various perspectives in his completely original literary work of poetry. The poems explore Virginia from 1607 to the present through the eyes of ordinary people going about their lives as they unravel themes such as the fight for religious liberty, the expansion of the frontier, the Civil War and the struggle for democracy.

In his poetry, Lewis presents the issues which have dominated Virginia history, through the eyes of slaves, Native Americans, tenant farmers, peddlers, nurses and clerks.

The poetry mixes songs, hymns, cultural customs, religious awakenings, social beliefs and political movements to present a far wider cultural context for the history of Virginia than usual.

The meeting will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15 in the auditorium of the Madison County Administration building. Everyone is invited to attend and refreshments will be served after the meeting in the Kemper Residence next door.

The Madison County Historical Society consists of interested Madisonians and is governed by a board elected by and from the membership. It is funded by dues and gifts from generous donors. Membership is open to everyone and new members are welcomed.

(Guest columnist Penn Bowers is vice president of the Madison County Historical Society. A retired Naval officer and resident of Madison County for many years, he is also an interpreter at Montpelier, the home of President James Madison. His e-mail address is calicopenn@earthlink.net.)