May 2, 2004 Jules Verne Society to Meet at the Library of Congress on May 13-15

The North American Jules Verne Society will meet at the Library of Congress on Thursday-Saturday, May 13-15. The conference features more than a dozen talks about Jules Verne (1828-1905), the renowned 19th century French science fiction novelist. The Library of Congress holds the most comprehensive Verne collection of any institution outside of France. This event is sponsored by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress and "What If...," the Science Fiction and Fantasy Forum of the Library of Congress Professional Association.

All conference programs will take place in the Library's James Madison Memorial Building, 101 Independence Avenue S.E., Washington, D.C. This event is free and open to the public.

The conference begins at noon on Thursday, May 13, in Room 139 of the Madison Building, with a screening of "Shirley Temple Theatre: The Terrible Clockman" (1961), a film based on "Master Zacharius, or the Watch Maker Who Lost His Heart" (1854), Verne's first fantasy story, written when he was 26 years old. The program, which lasts one hour, is sponsored by the Library of Congress Film Society.

Following the movie, at 2 p.m., selected works by Verne from the Library's collection will be displayed in the Rosenwald Room on the second floor of the Jefferson Building, opposite the entrance to the Rare Book and Special Collections Reading Room (LJ 239). Those wishing to visit the display must register in advance with the conference coordinator Brian Taves, at btav@loc.gov.

The conference continues from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, May 14, and from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 15, in the sixth floor West Dining Room of the Madison Building.

The following presentations are scheduled for Friday, May 14:

9 a.m.
"Verne Rarities at the Library of Congress," Clark Evans, Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Library of Congress

9:30 a.m.
"Jules Verne in the Seaside Library," Carol Armbruster, European Division, Library of Congress

10:15 a.m.
"Vernian Frenglish," Arthur Evans, DePauw University

10:45 a.m.
"Jules Verne on Stage: Original Plays and Adaptation of His Novels-By Himself and in Collaboration," Frank Morlock, Public Health Service Officer (LtCMDR, Retd)

11:15 a.m.
"Pushing Verne Online," Norm Wolcott

11:45 a.m.
"Illustrating Jules Verne," Roger Leyonmark

12:15-12:30
"The Wesleyan University Press Early Classics of SF Series," Arthur Evans, DePauw University

12:30-2:10
Book sale and signing

2:10 p.m.
"The Mystery of Brutus de Villeroi, Inventor of the First U.S. Navy Submarine," Catherine Marzin, U.S. National Marine Sanctuary Program

2:30 p.m.
"J.E. Williamson, Pioneer of Undersea Photography," Charles Grimm, researcher/consultant

3 p.m.
"The 'Providential Grace' of Jules Verne's 'Will of An Eccentric,' Terry Harpold, University of Florida

3:30 p.m.
"Jules Verne's Caribbean: A Voyage of (Re)discovery," Teresita J. Hernandez, DePauw University

4 p.m.
"Publishing New Verne Translations, A Discussion with Verne Translators and Editors," Arthur Evans, dePauw University, Teresita J. Hernandez, DePauw University, Jean-Michel Margot, President, North American Jules Verne Society, Walter James Miller, New York University

The following presentations are scheduled for Saturday, May 15:

9:00 a.m.
"The Kip Brothers," Jean-Michael Margot, president, North American Jules Verne Society

9:30 a.m.
"Will the Real Lewis Mercier Please Stand Up?," Norm Wolcott

10 a.m.
"New Views of Verne Revealed in Translations of "'The Mighty Orinoco' (2002) and of 'The Meteor Hunt' (2005)," Walter James Miller, New York University

10:30 a.m.
"The Influence of Jules Verne on French-Canadian Science Fiction," Jean Louis Trudel, University of Quebec, Montreal.

For further information about this event, contact conference coordinator Brian Taves of the Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division, (202) 707-9930 orbtav@loc.gov.

The Library of Congress is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities and persons with disabilities who meet eligibility requirements are strongly encouraged to apply.