Irish literature scholar to lecture on Yeats at Fairfield University's Quick Center for the Arts | Press Releases

In celebration of William Butler Yeats' rich contribution to Irish literature and St. Patrick's Day, The Humanities Institute at Fairfield University is co-sponsoring a lecture, "Why Poetry Matters: Reading W. B. Yeats in Times of War," by the award-winning scholar of 20th century Irish Literature, Dr. Rob Doggett, assistant professor of English, SUNY Genesco. The lecture takes place on March 17 at 6:30 p.m. at the Quick Center for the Arts' Wien Experimental Theatre. It is free and the public is welcome.

According to Dr. Nels Pearson, assistant professor in Fairfield University's Department of English, "Dr. Doggett's talk will be accessible to all and revolves around how Yeats' poetry - from 1916 through the (political) 'Troubles' - brilliantly manages to seek a more universal and broadly historical understanding while maintaining the delicate balance between intensely engaging in questions of violence, imperialism and nationalism and resisting easy positions, partisanship and sectarian rhetoric."

Dr. Doggett is the author of "Deep Rooted Things: Empire and Nation in the Poetry of W.B. Yeats," published by Notre Dame Press, 2006.

Other event sponsors include the Department of English, the Program in Peace and Justice, the Program in Irish Studies and the Graduate School of Education and Allied Professions.

For further information, please contact Dr. Nels Pearson at npearson@mail.fairfield.edu or by calling (203) 254-4000, ext. 3452.