A special book launch is being hosted by Queen’s University Library and Kingston WritersFest on Wednesday, marking the 20th anniversary of the death of Canadian novelist, playwright, critic, journalist, and professor, Robertson Davies.

The event, being held at Speaker’s Corner in Stauffer Library from 7:30-8:30 pm, will include a special theatrical reading by Eric Friesen from A Celtic Temperament: Robertson Davies as Diarist, and an onstage conversation with its editors, Jennifer Surridge, Robertson Davies’ daughter, and Ramsay Derry editor of the novels Fifth Business and The Manticore.

Davies was a student at Queen’s between 1932 and 1935, and his renowned Salterton Trilogy is set in a university town inspired by Kingston, and at “Waverly University,” modelled on Queen’s. While at Queen’s he was active in theater, and a contributor to The Journal.

“We’re delighted to be partnering with Kingston WritersFest, and to be celebrating a literary figure who means so much to us,” says Martha Whitehead, Vice-Provost and University Librarian.

Tickets are $17 in advance (incl. HST and handling) – $19 at the door – and are available online at kingstonwritersfest.ca and at Novel Idea Books on Princess Street. Free rush seats are available to Queen’s, RMC, and SLC students with valid ID. Copies of the book will be available for sale and signing.

Queen’s University Library houses Davies’ personal library, which contains more than 5,000 volumes, theatre prints and ephemera. A special open house and tour of Davies' library will be held from 6-7 pm at the W.D. Jordan Special Collections and Music Library – located on the second floor of the Douglas Library.