December 12, 1996

Contact: Craig D'Ooge (202) 707-9189

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Library of Congress "Literary Companion" Calendars for 1997 Published

Samuel Johnson once declared that "the chief glory of every people arises from its authors". Two Library of Congress literary calendars for 1997 published by Pomegranate Calendars and Books present photographic portraits from the Library's collections of more than 60 authors, plus biographical profiles, anecdotes, dates, and quotations that provide vivid glimpses of the authors' lives and achievements.

In his introduction to the calendars, Center for the Book director John Y. Cole describes how the Library of Congress celebrates literature-- through its collections, readings, projects, publications, exhibitions, and even on the walls and ceilings of the Jefferson Building, which he calls "an incomparable Temple of the Book".

A Literary Companion, a 1997 engagement calendar, was compiled by Margaret E. Wagner of the Library's Publishing Office. She and Alan Bisbort wrote the captions. It includes a list of reference books containing literary history and sells for $12.95.

On Wirters: A Literary Companion, a 1997 wall calendar, was compiled by Margaret E. Wagner and Alan Bisbort, who also prepared the short biographical essays about the 12 featured authors: Edith Wharton, Jean Genet, Susan Sontag, Geoffrey Chaucer, Hannah Arendt, H.L. Mencken, Dorothy Canfield Fisher, Ralph Ellison, Leo Tolstoy, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Toni Morrison, and Mark Twain. The price of the calendar is $11.95.

Both calendars are available in bookstores around the country and in the Library of Congress Sales Shop.

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PR 96-179
12/18/96
ISSN 0731-3527