|
Robert C. Bray was honored for his book
Peter Cartwright, Legendary Frontier Preacher,
which explored Cartwright's contentious relationship with Abraham Lincoln. His acclaimed 2010 book,
Reading With Lincoln
, traced the influence of what Lincoln read on his speeches, writing and policies.
|
| Your hometown? |
Pittsburg, Kansas |
| Alma mater? |
Kansas State College (now Pittsburg State University), B.A.; University of Chicago, Ph.D. |
| Why Wesleyan? |
I was recruited by President Emeritus Robert S. Eckley. |
| Your teaching? |
Socratic, seminar-style, "big questions" but based on an almost microscopic attention to details. Main subjects: 19th century American literature, Caribbean literature, Abraham Lincoln. |
| Biggest thrill? |
Too old to remember; must have been one, though. |
| For fun? |
Listening to music with my best friend, plenty of beer. |
| The best? |
The friendship above. |
| Favorite book? |
As I read constantly, my favorite seems to change. Right now I’m under the spell of Roberto Bolaño’s 2666. Perennial favorites? Virginia Woolf’s To the Lighthouse (novel) and William Wordsworth’s The Prelude (poetry). |
| Favorite movie? |
Three: 2001 and Dr. Zhivago (then); Uylsses’ Gaze (now) |
| Favorite band? |
Chicago Symphony Orchestra |
| Favorite quote |
Death is in the audience, a critic. |
