The Libraries are celebrating the 400th anniversary of the publication of the King James Bible with the following exhibits and events.

The Word Made Flesh

What: Exhibit
When: Monday, November 28, 2011 – Friday, February 24, 2012; Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: T.R. Anderson Gallery, Wilson Library

Free and open to the public

This exhibit will feature examples of biblical texts, including medieval manuscripts and facsimiles. Highlights will include two leaves from the 42-line Gutenberg Bible; the original New Testament portion of the King James Bible; other early printings such as the Geneva Bible and the "Breeches" Bible; and related works stemming out of the Reformation such as publications, broadsides, and pamphlets from Martin Luther, Philip Melanchthon, and others.

An American Icon: The King James Bible in American Culture

When: Sunday, January 15, 2012; 9:15 a.m.–10:10 a.m.
Where: Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 700 South Snelling Ave., Saint Paul, MN 55116
Who: speaker: Mark A. Granquist

The Word Made Flesh: Historic Biblical Texts at the University of Minnesota

When: Monday, January 30, 2012, 7:00 p.m.
Where: Highland Park Branch Library, Hillcrest Auditorium
Who: speaker: Tim Johnson

Manifold Greatness: The Creation and Afterlife of the King James Bible

What: Exhibit
When: Wednesday, January 25 through Wednesday, February 15, 2012; open during Wilson Library building hours
Where: Wilson Library 4th floor Gallery Wilson Library

Free and open to the public

This traveling exhibition is organized by the Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, D.C., and the American Library Association Public Programs Office. It is based on an exhibition of the same name developed by the Folger Shakespeare Library and the Bodleian Library, University of Oxford, with assistance from the Harry Ransom Center of the University of Texas, to mark the 400th anniversary of the publication of the King James Bible. The traveling exhibition was made possible by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Learn more at manifoldgreatness.org.

image: Title page, Bible. English. Authorized. London, 1611. Folger Shakespeare Library.

Manifold Greatness Colloquium

When: Friday February 3, 2012, 4:00–7:30 p.m.
Where: Wilson Library 4th floor
Who: Presenters Bernard M. Levinson, David Haley, Michael Hancher, Mark Granquist, and Chris R. Armstrong

Join us for this colloquium, which will include a special viewing of the exhibits followed by a reception. Music will be provided by guitar students in the studio of Maja Radovanlija, Guitar Instructor and Lecturer in Creative Studies and Media.

Program of Events

4:00 p.m. Welcome and exhibit viewing

4:30 p.m. Presentations by

• Bernard M. Levinson, Berman Family Chair of Jewish Studies and Hebrew Bible, Professor of Classical & Near Eastern Studies and of Law, University of Minnesota
• David Haley, Professor of English Language and Literature, University of Minnesota
• Michael Hancher, Professor of English, University of Minnesota
• Timothy Johnson, Curator of Special Collections and Rare Books, University of Minnesota

6:00 p.m. Reception and exhibit viewing

6:30 p.m. Presentations by:

• Chris R. Armstrong, Professor of Church History, Bethel Seminary
• Mark A. Granquist, Associate Professor of Church History, Luther Seminary

Co-sponsored by the Friends of the University of Minnesota Libraries; the University of Minnesota Religious Studies program and the departments of English and Classical and Near Eastern Studies; the Friends of Saint Paul Public Library; Bethel University; Luther Seminary; and Gloria Dei Lutheran Church.

From Scripture to Icon: The Influence of the KJB in American Christianity

What: Presentation with display of materials in Luther Seminary special collections
When: Thursday, February 9, 2012, 3:00–5:00 p.m.
Where: Luther Seminary, St. Paul | Olson Campus Center | Lower Level Classroom
Who: speakers: Mark Granquist and Chris Armstrong