Author Talk: The British Raid on Essex

Jerry Roberts, former director of the Connecticut River Museum, led the project which uncovered the true story behind the British Raid on Essex and then literally wrote the book on it! Roberts will tell the story of the battle and what it took to dig up the past and bring this extraordinary local story, with national implications, to the light of day on June 13 at 4 p.m. at the Essex Library. The talk will cover the battle from both the British and American perspectives as well as the research which took place on both sides of the Atlantic to separate fact from fiction and set the record straight.

In the spirit of the Sea Music Festival, whose new home is in Essex June 10-12, Roberts will also explain how he created a modern song in the style of the era to chronicle the battle and how several prominent musicians joined forces to create a YouTube video for the bicentennial of the event. From lost swords and cannon balls, to real life heroes and traitors and the mysterious shipwreck, to the greatest single maritime loss of the war; this story has it all. Roberts’ books, including The British Raid on Essex: The Forgotten Battle of the War of 1812 will be available for purchase and signing.

This program is free and open to the public. Registration is requested. For more information or to register, please call the Essex Library at 860-767-1560. The Essex Library is located at 33 West Avenue in Essex.