Although Hodges Library’s “Writers in the Library” lecture series brings in a wide variety of poets and authors, tonight’s guest, Thomas Lynch, may be the first-ever funeral director.
The acclaimed Irish-American poet and essayist from Milford, Mich., will give a reading at 7 p.m. in Hodges Auditorium, a more cozy setting than his other, chilling occupation typically entails.
Margaret Lazarus Dean, assistant professor in the English Department, said Lynch’s job as a funeral director piques many people’s interests in him as a writer.
“That’s just immediately interesting,” Dean said. “Most writers do something other than writing as well to support themselves—they are teachers, editors, doctors, lawyers — but it’s unusual to find a funeral director among us.”
Lynch’s writing is often influenced by his daytime profession, as many touch upon the subject of death and the behind-the-scenes work completed in funeral homes.
“I think people are always curious about death and about what goes on behind the scenes in a funeral home, so Thomas Lynch is in a unique position to bring that to us in poetry and prose … At the same time, a lot of his poems, essays and stories have to do with subjects unrelated to death, and those works are celebrated, too, so I think it’s a mistake for people to think of Lynch primarily in terms of his day job,” Dean said. “He is an important writer whose name we would know even if his day job weren’t so attention-getting.”
Lynch has written five poetry collections, three books of essays and a book of fiction-based stories. Lynch’s work has appeared in notable publications such as The Atlantic, The New York Times, The Times of London, The New Yorker, The Paris Review, Harper’s, Esquire, The Washington Post, Newsweek, The Los Angeles Times, The Irish Times and many others.
These works have been the subject of two documentaries as well: PBS Frontline’s “The Undertaking” and Cathal Black’s “Learning Gravity” produced by BBC. Both documentaries won prestigious awards, including the 2008 Emmy Award for Arts and Culture Documentary and the Michigan Prize. Lynch’s book, “The Undertaking: Life Studies from the Dismal Trade,” also won an American Book Award and was a National Book Award finalist.
He frequently travels throughout the United States, Europe and Australia to speak at universities about his work. UT is bringing him to Rocky Top through the “Writers in the Library” series.
The 14-year-old lecture series brings in poets and authors throughout the year to speak to faculty and staff. All speaker events are free and open to the public and are followed by book signings by the writer.
Dean said the events are great ways for everyone to learn about interesting writers.
“The events are for the whole community, not just English students,” Dean said. “It’s just a great thing to do on a Monday night. Not long ago, a man at one of the ‘Writers in the Library’ events mentioned during the Q-and-A that he had never been to a poetry reading before, but this was the spot chosen by his match.com date — he wanted to share that he was surprised how much he enjoyed the poet’s work. I thought that was a really cool idea for a first date, and of course we weren’t surprised that he enjoyed the poet’s work so much.”
Christopher Thomas, senior in English, applauds the “Writers in the Library” series.
“I know its been going on for more than a decade, that is a big success for any program,” Thomas said. “The program features contemporary writers speaking on contemporary issues. The readings are fantastic and informative no matter what major you are.”
Dean also urges people to come out and hear Lynch speak Monday night.
“I would encourage people to come out and hear his reading, even if they don’t generally take an interest in poetry or fiction readings,” Dean said. “He is an engaging speaker, a riveting reader of his own work and the event will be a lot of fun.”
Future “Writers in the Library” series speakers include Valerie Laken on Feb. 25, T Cooper on March 11, Adam Prince on April 8, poets Marilyn Kallet and Arthur Smith on April 15 and the winners of UT’s creative writing awards on April 22.
