An award-winning historian will visit The University of Memphis today to celebrate the upcoming 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation.
"We are very lucky to have Eric Foner coming to speak to us. He is one of the most well-known and accomplished historians in the world," said Aram Goudsouzian, interim director of the Marcus W. Orr Center for Humanities, which is the host of the event.
Foner, author of the book "The Fiery Trail: Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery" will give a lecture at 6:30 p.m. in the University Center Theater. The event is free and open to the public.
Foner will discuss Lincoln's role in transforming America by committing to liberate slaves.
"Lincoln's career raises issues about race and equality in American life, and how social change occurs, as relevant today as 150 years ago," Foner said.
Foner has won a Pulitzer Prize in history, the Bancroft Prize and the Lincoln Prize. He is the author or editor of 26 other books.
