DAPHNE, Ala.—The Daphne Public Library will hold its annual Local History Forum at 10 a.m. on Dec. 1, and author Wayne Flynt will speak on author Harper Lee and the Alabama Literacy Renaissance.

“He’s an authority on southern culture,” said Anne Morris, the library’s reference librarian. “He taught at Auburn in the history department.”

The 50th anniversary of “To Kill A Mockingbird” was celebrated in July with a special anniversary edition of the book released to fans.

“Though everyone knows the novel, few realize the context. Within 150 miles of Montgomery, the state (of Alabama) produced in a single generation Eugene Walter, Albert Murray, Truman Capote, Lee, Ralph Ellison, Margaret Alexander, Mary Ward Brown, Kathryn Tucker Windham, Shirley Ann Grau, T. S. Stribling and a few years earlier William March. It truly was a literary feast, and the 50th anniversary of ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ provides the perfect celebration for the discussion,” Flynt said.

Flynt was inducted into the 2005 Communication Hall of Fame, which honors communication personalities who have brought recognition to the state. He is the author of 11 books, including the Pulitzer Prize-nominated “Poor But Proud: Alabama’s Poor Whites.” His most recent book, “Alabama in the Twentieth Century,” was awarded the 2004 Anne B. and James B. McMillan Prize. Flynt’s books have won many awards, including: the Lillian Smith Award for Non-Fiction; the Alabama Library Association Award for Non-Fiction; Outstanding Academic Book from the American Library Association; and the James F. Sulzby, Jr. Book Award.

“He has a number of titles from the University of Alabama press,” Morris said. “We’re delighted to have him speak on any topic, and this is his field of study.”

The Daphne Local History Forum seeks to inform, inspire, and spread the word about collections, sites and events of local historical interest for everyone.

For more information, call 621-2818.