Local author to speak at Batavia library
Batavia's monthly noontime book program Books Between Bites welcomes author and former Batavian Phil Burnham to discuss his new book, "Song of Dewey Beard: Last Survivor of the Little Bighorn," at noon Thursday, May 21, at Batavia Public Library, 10 S. Batavia Ave.
Burnham is a freelance journalist/historian and an assistant professor of composition at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. His latest book is the biography of a Lakota who witnessed the Battle of Little Bighorn and survived the Wounded Knee Massacre. It chronicles a remarkable life that can be traced through major historical events from the late 19th into the mid-20th century.
The book was recently awarded the 2015 Spur Award for Best Biography from 2014 by Western Writers of America.
Burnham grew up in Batavia and still has close family in the area, including his mother, Ruth Burnham. He has taught college-level writing, literature, and history at the University of New Mexico, the University of Massachusetts (Amherst), Sinte Gleska College, Johns Hopkins University, and, as a Fulbright fellow, at Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar.
He has done archival research in public and private collections throughout the U.S. and in several countries abroad. Burnham holds a bachelor of arts in English composition from Beloit College, a master of fine arts in writing from the University of Massachusetts/Amherst, and a Ph.D. in American Studies from the University of New Mexico. More information about Burnham and his other books can be found at philburnham.com.
Books Between Bites is held from noon to 1 p.m. in the large Founders Room, just inside the main entrance of the Batavia Public Library, 10 S. Batavia Ave. The public is invited to attend this free program and reservations are not required. Parking is available in the lot just south and adjacent to the library.
Attendees can bring their lunch and eat as they enjoy the program and discussion. Lunch items, beverages and baked goods can be purchased at Chapters Coffee House & Café inside the library and adjacent to the meeting room. To pre-order for pickup just before the program, call Chapters at (630) 406-8005.
Books Between Bites was established in Batavia in 1987 by the late Lee C. Moorehead. The program has been continued by Moorehead's wife, Betty, and his daughter, Becky Hoag, in partnership and cosponsorship with George H. Scheetz and Stacey Peterson of Batavia Public Library.
For information, call Becky Hoag at (630) 482-9157. The program runs through May and a complete schedule can be found at booksbetween bites.com.
Printed season schedules are available at the library.