Documentary Filmmaker Ken Burns to Speak at Widener University Nov 10

Chester, Pa.—Emmy award-winning documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, renowned for his landmark public television series Baseball and The Civil War, will speak at Widener University at 1 p.m. Monday, November 10 in Kapelski Learning Center Lecture Hall #1. The event is free and open to the public, but space is limited. To reserve seating, call610-499-4112 or e-mail cjcaporale@widener.edu.

Since the Academy Award nomination of Brooklyn Bridge in 1981, Burns has directed and produced some of the most acclaimed historical documentaries ever made. His films have won 13 Emmy Awards and two Oscar nominations. In 2008, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences honored Burns with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

His past projects include Prohibition, The National Parks: America’s Best Idea, The War, Unforgiveable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson, Horatio’s Drive: America’s First Road Trip, Mark Twain, Jazz, Not for Ourselves Alone: The Story of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, Frank Lloyd Wright, Lewis and Clark: The Journey of the Corps of Discovery, Thomas Jefferson, The Shakers, Statue of Liberty, Huey Long, The Congress,Thomas Hart Benton, Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio, William Segal, The West, and The Central Park Five.

Burns was director, producer, co-writer, chief cinematographer, music director and executive producer of Baseball andThe Civil War. Baseball became the most watched series in PBS history, attracting more than 45 million viewers, and received numerous awards, including an Emmy, the CINE Golden Eagle Award and the Clarion Award. The Civil Warwas the highest rated series in the history of American public television and attracted an audience of 40 million during its premiere in 1990. The series has been honored with more than 40 major film and television awards.

Burns’ most recent work, The Roosevelts: An Intimate History, aired on public television in September. Projects currently in production include films on the Gettysburg Address, Jackie Robinson, the Vietnam War and the history of country music.

Burns’ appearance at Widener will be in advance of his sold-out evening appearance as part of the Philadelphia Speakers Series presented by Widener at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia. Now in its 11^th sold-out season, the Philadelphia Speakers Series offers annual subscribers the opportunity to spend an evening with Pulitzer and Nobel Peace Prize winners, world leaders, statesmen, distinguished journalists, authors and other celebrated personalities. For more information about the Philadelphia Speakers Series and the lineup of speakers for the 2014-15 season, visitwww.philadelphiaspeakersseries.org.