Authors to discuss veterans in University of Richmond Peple Lecture

February 1, 2007

Washington-area writers Paul Dickson and Thomas B. Allen will discuss American veterans from the Revolution to the present in the annual Peple Lecture at University of Richmond Feb. 20.

The authors of the book, "The Legacy of the Bonus Army," will speak at 7 p.m. in the Robins Pavilion of Jepson Alumni Center. The lecture is open to the public at no charge and is sponsored by The Friends of Boatwright Memorial Library.

The Edward C. and Mary S. Peple Library Lecture is held annually to provide a forum for leading writers and scholars. Edward Peple, who taught English and served in several administrative positions at the university for 41 years, and his wife, Mary, were founding members of The Friends.

A native of Yonkers, N.Y., Dickson has written more than 45 nonfiction books and hundreds of magazine articles on topics as varied as ice cream, the American language, baseball and 20th century history. He is a 1961 graduate of Wesleyan University, where he was named distinguished alumnus in 2001. He is a contributing editor of The Washingtonian magazine and consulting editor at Merriam-Webster Inc.

Allen began his writing career as a reporter and columnist for the Bridgeport (Conn.) Herald after two years in the Navy. He became a feature writer for the New York Daily News and moved to the trade book division of Chilton Books as managing editor.

His "George Washington, Spymaster" was selected by the New York Public Library as one of the 100 best children's books of 2004. The American Library Association selected his "Remember Pearl Harbor" as one of the notable books of 2001. Allen is a frequent contributor to National Geographic magazine and served as associate chief of the National Geographic Society's book service from 1974-81.