Frederick Law Olmsted Biographer to Speak at MBL Falmouth Forum, March 1

CONTACT: Susan Joslin, Marine Biological Laboratory, 508-289-7281; sjoslin@mbl.edu

MBL, WOODS HOLE, MA—Best-selling biographer, Justin Martin, will present a talk titled, “Frederick Law Olmsted: The Accidental Renaissance Man,” as part of the MBL Falmouth Forum series, Friday, March 1 at 7:30 PM in the MBL’s Lillie Auditorium, 7 MBL Street, Woods Hole. The performance is sponsored by the MBL Associates and is free and open to the public. This season’s MBL Falmouth Forum series is also supported by a generous donation from the Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod.

Martin is the author of three previous biographies, most recently Genius of Place: The Life of Frederick Law Olmsted, now available in paperback. Genius is the amazing story of the pioneering landscape architect of Central Park, who also happened to be a Civil War hero, fervent abolitionist, and crusading journalist. Martin’s previous books are Greenspan: The Man Behind Money (Perseus Publishing, 2000) and Nader: Crusader, Spoiler, Icon (Basic, 2002).

Martin is a former staff writer at Fortune magazine.  His articles have appeared in various magazines such as Newsweek, Money, and Conde Nast Traveler, as well as in newspapers across the country including The New York Times, Boston Globe, and San Francisco Chronicle.

All three of Martin’s books have been reviewed widely and well, drawing raves from the Washington Post, Miami Herald, San Francisco Chronicle, Christian Science Monitor, Vanity Fair and others. Martin’s bestselling biography of former Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan was chosen as a notable book by the New York Times Book Review. Martin is currently working on To Burn Brightly: Walt Whitman and America’s First Bohemians.

Martin has discussed his books and articles on a number of national media outlets, including NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw, CBS Sunday Morning, CNBC Power Lunch, and assorted NPR affiliates.

Martin is a 1987 graduate of Rice University. He lives with his wife and twin sons in Forest Hills Gardens, a landmark NYC neighborhood designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr.

An optional buffet dinner will precede the lecture at 6:00 pm at the MBL’s Swope Center, 5 North Street, Woods Hole. Tickets are $30 (meal includes salad, pasta or potatoes, two entrees, wine, dessert, tax, and gratuity) and must be purchased in advance at Eight Cousins Children’s Books, Main Street, Falmouth or at the MBL Communications Office (between 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM only), 127 Water Street, Woods Hole. Dinner tickets are available until they sell out or until 5:00 pm on the Tuesday, February 26. For more information, contact the MBL Communications Office at (508) 289-7423 or comm@mbl.edu.

The remaining Falmouth Forums of the 2012-2013 season are listed below. All of the free presentations will be held in the MBL’s Lillie Auditorium at 7:30 PM. Visit the Falmouth Forum website for details and updated information.

April 5, 2013
Inside the Head of a Novelist - Julia Glass, winner of the National Book Award for Fiction. Julia Glass’s presentation is supported by the MBL’s Herman T. Epstein Endowed Memorial Lectureship.

April 26, 2013
Epic Journeys: A Documentary on Shorebird Migration - Shawn Carey, wildlife photographer and co-founder of Migration Productions. Co-sponsored by The 300 Committee, Falmouth.

—###—

The Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) is dedicated to scientific discovery and improving the human condition through research and education in biology, biomedicine, and environmental science. Founded in 1888 in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, the MBL is an independent, nonprofit corporation.

 The MBL Associates are a group of individuals and businesses that support the scientific mission of the MBL through their gifts to the Annual Fund. The Associates sponsor educational and research programs for the MBL and raise funds for special projects. In addition, they operate the MBL Gift Shop, located on Water Street in Woods Hole, the profits from which support scientific fellowships.