RED-LETTER DAYS

• Main Author: S Ferraro
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: 2005
• Subjects: Iceland
• Online Access: http://oaspub.epa.gov/eims/eimsapi.dispdetail?deid=96242

The word "red-letter" is an adjective meaning "of special significance." It's origin is from the practice of marking Christian holy days in red letters on calendars. The "red-letter days" to which I refer occurred while I was a graduate student of George C. Williams at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Stony Brook during the 1970's. When George was away on sabbatical in Iceland we corresponded by mail. George usually typed his letters with a typewriter with a red and black ribbon. George sent me letters in red type to save the black portion for manuscripts. I privately, until now, referred to days I received his letters as my "red-letter days." The centerpiece of this essay are excerpts from one of George's letters sent from Reykjavik, Iceland, dated 16 August 1973. It exemplifies how George shared his ideas and guided me. Before getting to his letter, some background.