The True Story of Tom Thumb

Stratford Library’s “Sunday Afternoon Talks,” the monthly series of informative and entertaining talks featuring prominent local guest speakers, will return on Sunday, January 4th at 2 pm with University of Bridgeport Professor Eric. D. Lehman. The popular program invites notable locals to speak in an informal atmosphere on a wide range of topics. Mr. Lehman will discuss “Becoming Tom Thumb: The New Evidence,” based on his latest book about the showman. “Sunday Afternoon Talks” events are free and open to the public.

Despite being one of the most popular celebrities of the 19th century, there has been little written about Tom Thumb until now. Eric Lehman recounts the amazing true story of Tom Thumb, told in full for the first time thanks to new sources. The author teaches literature and creative writing at the University of Bridgeport and his essays, reviews, poems and stories have been published in dozens of journals and magazines. His latest book, Becoming Tom Thumb: Charles Stratton, P.T. Barnum, and the Dawn of American Celebrity was recently released by Wesleyan University Press. His many published works include Literary Connecticut, A History of Connecticut Food and Bridgeport: Tales from the Park City among many others. Autographed copies of his Tom Thumb biography will be available for purchase after the talk.

“Sunday Afternoon Talks” with Professor Eric D. Lehman will be held in the Stratford Library’s Lovell Room beginning at 2 pm on Sunday, January 4th. For further information call the library’s Public Relations & Programming Office at 203.385.4162 or visit the library website.