Acclaimed author and religious historian Elaine Pagels to deliver annual James Baldwin Lecture at Princeton University

Elaine Pagels, the Harrington Spear Paine Foundation Professor of Religion at Princeton University, will deliver the 2013 James Baldwin Lecture "Art, Music and Politics in the Book of Revelation," at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12, in McCormick Hall, Room 101. The event is free and open to the public. A book signing will follow the lecture.

[Media who would like to attend the lecture should RSVP to Jennifer Loessy at the Center for African American Studies no later than Monday, Feb. 11, at 5 p.m. by emailing jloessy@princeton.edu or calling 609-258-3216.]

Pagels will read from and speak about her latest book, "Revelations: Visions, Prophecy and Politics in the Book of Revelation," in which she explores the New Testament Book of Revelation and other Jewish, Christian and pagan books of Revelation written around the same time.

Having published widely on Gnosticism and early Christianity, Pagels continues to pursue research interests in late antiquity. Her most recent books include "Beyond Belief: The Secret Gospel of Thomas" and "Reading Judas: The Gospel of Judas and the Shaping of Christianity," co-authored with Karen King, a professor of divinity at Harvard University.

“We are extremely excited to have Professor Elaine Pagels give this year’s James Baldwin Lecture. Professor Pagels’ approach to the book of Revelation will surely alight everyone’s interest in this confounding subject,” said Wallace Best, professor of religion and African American studies and acting chair of the Center for African American Studies at Princeton University.

The annual James Baldwin Lecture celebrates the scholarship of a distinguished Princeton faculty member and provides an occasion for the intellectual community to reflect on the issue of race and American culture. The Baldwin lectures also honor the extraordinary legacy of the late James Baldwin (1924-1987). One of America’s most powerful cultural critics and essayists, Baldwin exemplified ways to remain critically focused upon and engaged with the relationship of race to democracy in American society.

Additional information about the James Baldwin Lecture and other events can be found on the Center for African American Studies website.