Celebrating the life of Ernest J. Gaines

The Ernest J. Gaines Center at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette is celebrating the life and works of its namesake in honor of the 50th anniversary of the publication of his first novel, “Catherine Carmier.”

Gaines, who is among the most widely read and highly respected contemporary authors of African-American fiction, was born in Pointe Coupee Parish. At the age of 15, he moved to California, joining his mother and stepfather there, because Pointe Coupee had no high school for African-Americans.

After serving in the Army following graduation from high school, Gaines enrolled in San Francisco State University, where he wrote for the school’s literary journal. From there he attended Stanford University’s graduate program for creative writing before ultimately settling in the San Francisco area.

In 1981, Gaines accepted the position of Writer-in-Residence (visiting) at the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette). Two years later, he published “A Gathering of Old Men,” and 1993 saw the publication of “A Lesson Before Dying,” both of which were adapted for television.

“A Lesson Before Dying” won the National Book Critic’s Choice Award for fiction, was an Oprah Book Club pick in 1997 and was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. In 2004, Gaines was nominated for the Nobel Prize in literature, and in 2013, he received a National Medal of Arts.

Gaines is also the author of the novel “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman,” which was dramatized as an Emmy-Award winning television movie starring Cicely Tyson in 1974.

Although the celebration of Gaines’ career began at the end of September, it will continue through Friday, Nov. 21, so there are still plenty of activities to attend.

Book Discussion:

• Oct. 22, 6:30 p.m., South Regional Library, 6101 Johnston St., Lafayette

In honor of the 40th anniversary of the movie “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman,” Dr. Matthew Teutsch, interim director of the Ernest J. Gaines Center, will lead a discussion about Gaines’ most popular novel and its cultural significance.

Ernest J. Gaines Appearances:

• Nov. 1, 1-1:45 p.m., Louisiana Book Festival, Louisiana State Capitol House Chamber, 900 N. Third St., Baton Rouge

• Nov. 2, 4 p.m., Room 103, Moody Hall, 214 Hebrard Blvd., Lafayette

2nd Annual Ernest J. Gaines Lecture:

• Nov. 21, 1 p.m., Ernest J. Gaines Center, Edith Garland Dupré Library, 400 E. St. Mary Blvd., Lafayette

Dr. John Lowe of the University of Georgia, a member of the Gaines Center’s Advisory Board of Gaines Scholars, will speak about Gaines’ first published novel, “Catherine Carmier.”

Displays:

Sept. 22 - Dec. 1, Louisiana State Library, 701 N. 4th St., Baton Rouge

• Oct. 9 - Nov. 9, South Regional Library, 6101 Johnston St., Lafayette

All of the events are free and open to the public, and no tickets are necessary.