Join us for the next installment of our Harvard Author Talks series, featuring acclaimed writer Jane Merrill. This outdoor event, held at the One Reason Garden Bar, will take you on a journey through the vibrant, pre-digital world of freelance writing, as explored in Jane’s diverse body of work.
This event is free and open to the public, and we encourage you to enjoy drinks from the One Reason Garden Bar and delicious bites available for purchase from Kured.
Jane Merrill is the author or co-author of over a dozen books, covering subjects ranging from fashion history and political exile to hidden chapters of American life. She will share brief readings and behind-the-scenes insights from several of her notable works, including:
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Sex and the Scientist: The Indecent Life of Benjamin Thompson, Count Rumford
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The Late Years of Benedict Arnold: Fugitive, Smuggler, Mercenary, 1780–1801
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Aaron Burr in Exile: A Pariah in Paris, 1810–1811
Jane will also touch on a range of other titles, including The Showgirl Costume: An Illustrated History, I Love Those Earrings: A Popular History from Ancient to Modern, and The Hidden History of Cambridge and Harvard. Plus, get a preview of her upcoming 2025 release, The Turban: A History from East to West. Expect fascinating stories that intertwine personalities, cultures, and eras—covering everything from wedding night rituals and beaded adornments to public scandals and long-forgotten exiles.
About the Author
Jane Merrill began her writing career in New York City during its golden age of magazine publishing and freelancing. Now residing in Mid-Coast Maine, Jane holds degrees from Wellesley, Harvard, and Columbia, and has taught internationally. She also led the Cambridge Public Library’s North Branch. With a passion for uncovering overlooked stories and characters, Jane brings extensive research and narrative flair to her work.