Pulitzer Prize-winning author Richard Russo will visit ºìÐÓÖ±²¥app and downtown Carlisle this spring as the recipient of The Harold and Ethel L. Stellfox Visiting Scholars and Writers Program award.
Russo, acclaimed for his depiction of life in small-town America, has written seven novels: That Old Cape Magic (2009), Bridge of Sighs (2007), the Pulitzer Prize-winning Empire Falls (2001),Straight Man (1997), Nobody’s Fool (1993), The Risk Pool (1988) and Mohawk (1986). He also published a collection of short stories, The Whore’s Child (2002). Russo co-wrote the screenplay for the film Twilight (1998) and the screenplay for Ice Harvest (2005) with director Robert Benton. Benton also directed the 1994 film adaptation of Nobody’s Fool, which starred Paul Newman and Jessica Tandy.
Russo, who was raised in upstate New York, received a bachelor’s degree in English and a doctorate in American Literature at the University of Arizona.
The StellfoxVisiting Scholars and Writers Program is in honor of Jean Louise Stellfox '60, who was inspired to become an English teacher after meeting Robert Frost during the poet’s visit to Dickinson in 1959. When she died in 2003, Stellfox’s estate provided $1.5 million to the college to continue her mission of inspiring students through literature. Stellfox established the gift in honor of her parents, Harold and Ethel L. Stellfox.
While in residency at Dickinson, the Stellfox honoree visits classes, holds a seminar for aspiring writers, gives readings and presentations and shares meals with students and faculty.
Russo received an honorary degree from Dickinson in 2002, the year his daughter Emily Russo Murtagh graduated from the college.
Here is the schedule of events for Russo:
Published February 1, 2011