UR to host bestselling author of 'The Butler: A Witness to History'

March 4, 2016

The University of Richmond will host a talk by Wil Haygood on March 17 at 7 p.m. in the Modlin Center for the Arts, Alice Jepson Theatre. This event is free and open to the public.

Haygood is best known for writing “The Butler: A Witness to History.” The New York Times bestselling book was adapted into a film starring Oprah Winfrey and Academy Award winners Forest Whittaker, Cuba Gooding Jr. Robin Williams and Jane Fonda. Haygood served as an associate producer for the film.

Haygood also worked for 30 years at The Boston Globe and The Washington Post, during which time he witnessed Nelson Mandela’s release from prison, was taken hostage by Somalian Rebels, traveled with Obama and was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.

This event is part of the 2015-16 Sharp Viewpoint Speakers Series. The series was established in 2011 in honor of Richard L. Sharp, a nationally recognized entrepreneur, to present competing views on topics crucial to the U.S. and global society. The topic of inquiry for this season considers how the power of art, in all of its many forms, impacts our culture.

Past programs have featured Senator Timothy Kaine, Governor Terry McAuliffe, Malala Fund founder Shiza Shahid and Pulitzer Prize winning artist Art Spiegelman.

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