Gannon Lecture Series

The George A. Smathers Library cordially invites you to the Michael Gannon Lecture on Thursday, November 21st, from 3:30-4:30 p.m., featuring linguistic anthropologist George Aaron Broadwell, Ph.D., the Elling Eide Professor of Anthropology at University of Florida. Seating is limited. Please RSVP by Monday, November 18th, at 8 a.m.

“Reading Florida's First Native Authors:

Towards an Understanding of Timucua Literature”

This talk introduces the public to some of the most interesting passages of Timucua literature and discusses the techniques that our team has used to read and interpret Timucua texts.

Having assembled a host of texts written in Timucua, the native language of the inhabitants of northern Florida from around the twelfth century into the eighteenth century, Broadwell has spent years working to translate what the writers were recording. Through his own efforts, work with colleagues, and assistance from students Broadwell has reconstructed substantial parts of Timucua vocabulary, in some cases interpreting previously untranslated texts, and also offering new revelations about those with Spanish corollaries.

His work has revolutionized understanding of the conquest and colonial eras in Florida, giving voice to the people who lived under Spanish rule and revealing what their letters and writings say about dramatic changes taking place in their lives and world. The topic is especially appropriate for a lecture in honor of Michael Gannon, who included in his own discussions of Florida history an example of the Timucua-language version of the Lord’s Prayer.

About the Michael Gannon Lecture

The annual Gannon Lecture commemorates the achievements of Prof. Michael Gannon, Distinguished Service Professor, remembered at the University of Florida as an outstanding teacher, scholar, and advocate for fairness and academic integrity. Nationally known for his books on Florida history and the history of World War II, Gannon’s career encompassed work as a broadcaster and author, as a priest in the Catholic Church, a professor of religion, ethics, and history, and a leader in promoting history to both academia and the public.

At different points in his life he stood between police lines and student demonstrators at protests, headed major research initiatives on Florida’s colonial history, represented the university in overseas academic collaborations with Spain, and penned best-selling works on naval warfare in World War II. The Michael Gannon Lecture features talks by fellow scholars who focus on topics he himself promoted or followed, including history of religion, Hispanic culture in the United States, the second World War, and the place of Florida in American history.

Host or Publisher UF George A. Smathers Libraries