Moretti and the Marble

Ruth Beaumont Cook is the author of three books of narrative non-fiction related to Alabama history (North Across the River, Guests Behind the Barbed Wire, and Magic in Stone). For many years, she was a feature writer and columnist for Birmingham magazine and published articles in numerous regional and national publications. A graduate of (The) Ohio State University, she has lived and worked in Alabama since 1970. She has served on the planning committee for the Writing Today conference at Birmingham-Southern College and the board of directors of the Alabama Writers’ Forum. She lives in north Shelby County near her two sons and their families.
“Moretti and the Marble” is the story of Giuseppe Moretti who is best known for creating the huge cast iron statue of Vulcan that sits atop Red Mountain in Birmingham. His first artistic love was marble, especially Alabama marble, which he promoted nationally and internationally. Moretti was an investor in three marble quarries in Talladega County. He was a mentor for Marengo County sculptor Geneva Mercer who became his apprentice in 1908 and worked with him until he died in 1935. Many of Moretti’s sculptures are still on display in the Birmingham area.
The talk will be held in the Arrington Auditorium on the 4th floor of the Research Library.
If you have any questions, please contact Connor Marullo at [email protected] or 205-226-3630.