www.mobeard.org/mbs/news/news.php?id=180358 -
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Published on: 4/11/2007
Last Visited: 9/27/2007
Biographer and novelist Benita Eisler visited Morristown-Beard School on April 11 to speak with students about researching historical figures and the craft of writing.Her visit was sponsored by the English and History Departments and was part of the Visiting Writer Series funded by the Parents' Association.Eisler is the author of several books including "Naked in the Marketplace: the Lives of George Sand," "Chopin's Funeral," "Byron: Child of Passion, Fool of Fame," and "O'Keeffe and Stieglitz: An American Romance."She was educated at Smith and Harvard, and has worked as an art editor, reporter, on-camera correspondent and television producer.From 1982 to 1987, Eisler taught the 19th and 20th century novel at Princeton University.
"The biographies that I write are taken from what I love to read," she said."My fascination has always been with subjects that are historical."
Eisler also discussed her approach to writing and research, and reflected on the many rewarding aspects of her work.
"The most exciting part of research is uncovering the manuscript that nobody has seen before you," she said.