The Greenwich Historical Society will host distinguished historian, journalist and best-selling author Walter Isaacson for a reception, book signing and dinner on Thursday, April 20. Isaacson's presentation will draw from his highly acclaimed book, The Innovators: How a Group of Hackers, Geniuses and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution (Simon & Schuster), which examines the fascinating and creative personalities whose genius and imagination resulted in the creation of modern computers and the Internet, and the crucial role that collaboration and teamwork played in the rise of the digital age.
Isaacson will discuss the contributions of luminaries such as Bill Gates and Steve Wozniak, and also shed light on lesser-known but important figures such as Ada Lovelace, English mathematician and daughter of Lord Byron; and Alan Turing, WWII cryptanalyst, theoretical computer scientist and subject of the historical thriller The Imitation Game.
Walter Isaacson is president and CEO of the Aspen Institute. He formerly served as chairman and CEO of CNN and was editor of Time magazine. His list of best-selling biographies includes Steve Jobs, Einstein: The Life of a Genius, Benjamin Franklin: An American Life and Kissinger: A Biography.
"We are privileged and honored to host Mr. Isaacson at our benefit to support the Fund for Program Enrichment," says Debra Mecky, executive director of the Greenwich Historical Society. "His deep insights into the brilliant people who have transformed the world will be inspiring for our members and guests."
Program tickets are $375 each and include cocktails, book signing, dinner and lecture. Patron-level tickets are $1,000 each and, additionally, include a pre-event meet-and-greet with the author, preferred seating and a gift bag. Proceeds will support the Historical Society's Fund for Program Enrichment, which supports and sustains educational initiatives, exhibitions, public programs, digital collections and preservation initiatives. The event has been generously underwritten by The Resource Foundation and is sponsored by Northern Trust. Serendipity Magazine is the exclusive media sponsor.
Isaacson is chair emeritus of Teach for America, former chair of the Broadcasting Board of Governors (2009-2012) and vice-chair of the Louisiana Recovery Authority (2005-2007). A member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, his current board service includes United Airlines, Tulane University, the Overseers of Harvard University, New Orleans Tricentennial Commission, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Society of American Historians, Carnegie Institution for Science, and My Brother's Keeper Alliance.
Lecture by Walter Isaacson
How a Group of Hackers, Geniuses, and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution
Thursday, April 20, 2017
Greenwich Country Club
19 Doubling Road, Greenwich, CT 06830
6:30 to 9:00 pm
Tickets are $375 or $1,000 each and support the Greenwich Historical Society's Fund for Program Enrichment
For tickets, visit www.greenwichhistory.org or call 203-869-6899, Ext. 10.
*Photo by Patrice Gilbert.