December 10, 2013, Filed Under: Books + Manuscripts, Film, Research + TeachingBiographer Stephen Michael Shearer uses Gloria Swanson collection to paint a more in-depth portrait of the star in new biography Although best known for her role as Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard (1950), Gloria Swanson was a legendary actress even before then. She starred in countless silent films, working with celebrities Cecil DeMille and Charlie Chaplin. Vivacious and enigmatic, Swanson was known for her extravagant clothing, spending, and love life.… read more
October 16, 2013, Filed Under: Authors, Books + Manuscripts, Research + TeachingNorman Mailer’s biographer J. Michael Lennon discusses research for his book “Norman Mailer: A Double Life” In January 1971, J. Michael Lennon wrote a letter of encouragement to Norman Mailer after watching the author get into a raucous televised debate with Gore Vidal. Mailer responded, sparking a lifelong correspondence between the pair. Lennon went on to become Mailer’s personal archivist and authorized biographer, as well as… read more
April 24, 2012, Filed Under: Books + Manuscripts, Research + TeachingScholar reads between the lines in new Lillian Hellman biography Alice Kessler-Harris, R. Gordon Hoxie Professor of History at Columbia University, made several trips to the Ransom Center between 2003 and 2011. Her biography, A Difficult Woman: The Challenging Life and Times of Lillian Hellman, will be published by Bloomsbury Press on April 24. She has written many books,… read more
