Presented by David Sumner, Linfield College English Department

In the first century BCE, the poet Virgil wrote the Ecolouges and invented the pastoral as a way of thinking about humans and the landscape. This idea took hold in the European and then American imaginations. As a result, in the West we still often make our policy regarding public land in a way that privileges the views of this Roman poet.

About the Speaker:

David Sumner is professor of English and environmental studies at Linfield College where he chairs the English Department. He works and publishes on American nature writers, environmental ethics and western American literature. He has also published a series of interviews with contemporary nature writers. When not reading, writing or teaching, he likes to explore the beautiful places of West, preferably with a fly rod.

These monthly, free events are open to everyone interested in Oregon and Pacific Northwest history. Co-sponsored by like-minded historical and civic organizations, we bring you experts, scholars, first-person experiencers and historians who expound on topics from Lewis and Clark to shipwrecks, hop growing to women pioneers and far, far beyond. It's like being back in the classroom - except this time you get to settle into comfortable seats and enjoy a drink or two with dinner while you listen and learn.

This event is eligible for a History Pub Stamp