S. J. Perelman / Life Magazine

The Library is pleased to welcome Brown alumnus Sean Kelly ’84, who will deliver a talk entitled, “The Sophisticated Silliness of S. J. Perelman ’25,” on Thursday, November 5, 2015 at 5:30 p.m. in the Lownes Room of the John Hay Library. The talk will be followed by a Q&A period and a reception.

The event will also highlight S. J. Perelman, the newest release from the Brown Ziggurat Press. Part of the Brooke Hunt Mitchell Distinguished Author Series, the book consists of an essay by Daniel Asa Rose ’71, P ’17 and a surprise pop-up on the last page that depicts Perelman’s famous portrait by his friend Al Hirschfeld. For more information about the handmade book, including how to purchase it, please click here.

One of the preeminent humorists in American literature and film, S.J. Perelman, Brown Class of 1925, wrote hilarious essays for The New Yorker, comedies for the Marx Brothers, short story collections, Broadway plays, and an Oscar-winning film. It all began at Brown with his cartoons for the student humor magazine.

Sean Kelly ’84

In this multi-media presentation, Mr. Kelly, an illustrator, will share Perelman’s highly original college work, trace his influence on today’s top comedy writers — including many Brown alumni — and reveal the genius’s creative process through rare documents from the S. J. Perelman collection at the John Hay Library.

Sean Kelly has produced thousands of illustrations for The New York Times, The Washington Post, Entertainment Weekly, and The Atlantic, among other publications. His work has received awards from the Society of Illustrators and the National Cartoonists Society.

Date: Thursday, November 5, 2015
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: Lownes Room, John Hay Library, 20 Prospect Street, Providence