Who We Are
The William B. Crawley Great Lives Series brings renowned biographers to the Mary Washington campus to speak on “Great Lives” – those who have influenced history or culture in a significant way. Since 2004, Mary Washington has hosted lectures on politicians, authors, celebrities, musicians, artists, and even some fictional icons – including Harry Potter, Frankenstein, and Sherlock Holmes. Each lecture attracts between 500 and 1,000 patrons and concludes with an audience Q&A session and speaker book-signing.
Why We Need Your Support
The Great Lives Series has been free since its inception – and we need your help to keep it that way. The series recovers none of its costs through admission fees and exists solely to enrich the Fredericksburg and Mary Washington communities. The series makes prominent speakers and international scholars accessible to UMW students and community residents in a way that would be impossible without donor support.
How Your Gift Will Help
Your gift will create an unprecedented intellectual opportunity for UMW students and area residents. Your support ensures the series attracts the highest quality speakers including Pulitzer Prize winning authors, biographers, and professors. The 2020 series kicked off on January 21st, 2020 with a lecture on Ronald Reagan.
| Rank | State | Gifts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | NONE | 0 |
| 1 | AA | 0 |
| 1 | AE | 0 |
