Vanderbilt University Libraries are remembering one of America’s most beloved writers with the exhibit “Mark Twain: An American Original,” now on display in Special Collections through June 30. The exhibit is free and open to the public weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Special Collections is located at 419 21st Ave. S.

Twain and Twang, Nashville’s citywide celebration, marks the 175th anniversary this year of Twain’s birth, 100th anniversary of his death and 125th anniversary of the publication of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

“We are pleased to collaborate with several other Nashville institutions to pay tribute to Mark Twain’s literary legacy and humor,” Dean of Libraries Connie Vinita Dowell said. “Vanderbilt is fortunate to have a strong collection in Twain materials – both first editions and original materials – to be able to share with the community.”

The approximately 350 items in Vanderbilt’s Twain collection, which includes numerous Mark Twain first editions, were donated by the late Dr. Marc H. Hollender, a Vanderbilt psychiatrist and professor who traced his love of the author to reading The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. “Dr. Hollender’s widow, Betty, told us that her husband’s profession had nothing to do with his collecting habits,” Kathy Smith, associate director of Special Collections and University Archives, said. “Betty relayed that he had said, ‘I want to enjoy Mark Twain, not analyze him.’”

Smith noted that exhibit also includes memorabilia from the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum in Hannibal, Mo., and items from Special Collections at San Diego State University. “Dean Dowell led the charge to partner with the California university and boyhood home in order to expand the variety of artifacts for our visitors to see.” The exhibit will move to San Diego State this summer for a 19-week run.

Vanderbilt’s partners for Twain and Twang include Cheekwood, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Frist Center for the Visual Arts, Metro Parks, Nashville Children’s Theatre, Nashville Public Library, Nashville Public Television, People’s Branch Theatre, Tennessee Repertory Theatre, Tennessee Performing Arts Center and YMCA artEMBRACE.

For more information about the exhibit in Special Collections, call 615-322-2807. To learn more about Twain and Twang, please click on http://twainandtwang.org

Contact: Ann Marie Deer Owens, 615-322-NEWS
annmarie.owens@vanderbilt.edu