|
 Stevenson spent 11 years in the Senate and twice ran for Illinois
governor. His father was governor, a two-time Democratic nominee for
president and also ambassador to the United Nations during the Cuban
Missile Crisis. His great-grandfather was vice president.
Stevenson has collected many of his family’s political anecdotes and
lessons into “The Black Book.” The book began as a brown binder
where the first Adlai Stevenson kept stories and sayings he had
jotted down on menus, napkins or whatever was handy. The second
Adlai Stevenson expanded the collection in a large black binder.
Both binders were passed down to the third Adlai, who added his own
stories and observations.
The free event begins at 6 p.m. with Stevenson signing books in the
museum’s main plaza. Then, at 6:30, he will discuss the book and
answer audience questions in Union Theater.
To reserve a seat, visit www.PresidentLincoln.Illinois.gov and click
on “special event reservations.”
“The Black Book is a compendium of wit, wisdom and whimsy spanning a
century and a half of American public life,” Stevenson says. “It
reflects the environment within which politics and politicians
functioned during an earlier era, and contains comments on the
implications of the past for the future.”
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Another Stevenson ancestor, Jesse Fell, was a friend and political supporter of
Abraham Lincoln. He apparently was the first person to suggest Lincoln debate
opponent Stephen Douglas. He also was an early leader in efforts to secure the
presidential nomination for Lincoln.
“Adlai Stevenson III and his family have been there at key moments for Illinois
and for America. We’re honored that he is visiting the Lincoln Presidential
Library and Museum to share his insights,” said Nadine O’Leary, the presidential
library’s acting executive director.
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, a division of the Illinois
Historic Preservation Agency, is dedicated to telling the story of America’s
16th president through old-fashioned scholarship and modern technology.
The library holds an unparalleled collection of Lincoln books, documents,
photographs, artifacts and art, as well as some 12 million items pertaining to
all aspects of Illinois history. The museum uses traditional exhibits,
eye-catching special effects and innovative story-telling techniques to educate
visitors.
[Shanta Thoele, Communications and
Public Affairs, Illinois Historic Preservation Agency] |
