Poet Frost’s Granddaughter Offers Talk Next Month

Dr. Lesley Lee Francis.

Robert Frost in 1910.

Robert Frost in 1910.

Lesley Lee Francis, granddaughter of poet Robert Frost and author of the book, “You Come Too: My Journey with Robert Frost,” will give a lecture next month at Lawrence Heritage State Park.

Francis’ talk is part of the White Fund lecture series in partnership with Northern Essex Community College. It takes place Monday, June 27, 7 p.m. at the Lawrence Heritage State Park, 1 Jackson St., Lawrence.

Frost was the author of “The Road Not Taken” and is former U.S. Poet Laureate, who recited “The Gift Outright” at the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy.

This event is free and open to the public.

Frost had a strong connection to Lawrence, having moved there when he was 11. He attended Lawrence schools before continuing his education at Dartmouth College and later Harvard University. He returned to Lawrence as editor of “The Lawrence Sentinel.”

Francis is a graduate of Radcliffe College. She holds a Ph.D. in Romance Languages from Duke University. She was a professor of Spanish language, literature and history at a number of colleges and universities and ran a summer program in Spain.

Now retired from the professional staff of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) in Washington, D. C., she continues teaching and writing and helps organize the annual Frost Symposium. Francis has lectured and published extensively on her grandfather. Her biographical study, “Robert Frost: An Adventure in Poetry, 1900-1918,” is available in paperback. She currently lives in Arlington, Virg.

The White Fund’s purpose is to have a free series of interactive presentations for Lawrence area adults, youth and children.