Poet Frank X. Walker will speak on his new poetry collection, I Dedicate This Ride: The Making of Isaac Murphy. The subject of Mr. Walker’s new book, Isaac Burns Murphy, was an African-American jockey born in Frankfort, KY in 1861. He won the Kentucky Derby three times, the American Derby in Chicago four times, and the Latonia Derby five times. In all, Murphy rode 628 winners in his 1,412 mounts, the best winning average in history with over 34 percent.

Both I Dedicate This Ride and Patsi Trollinger’s book, Perfect Timing, will be the focus of a statewide reading project this fall. Mr. Walker is the editor and publisher of PLUCK!, the new Journal of Affrilachian Art & Culture, Writer in Residence and Lecturer of English at Northern Kentucky University, and Associate Professor of English at the University of Kentucky. He is also the author of four other poetry collections, including When Winter Come: the Ascension of York.

This lecture will begin at 6 p.m. at The Filson Historical Society. There is no cost for this event, though reservations are suggested. You may reserve your seat by visiting www.filsonhistorical.org or by calling The Filson at (502) 635-5083.