JEFFERSON SOCIETY TO HOLD POE READ-A-THON THIS WEEKEND

	CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., March 30 -- The Jefferson Literary and
Debating Society at the University of Virginia will hold an Edgar
Allan Poe 24-Hour Read-a-thon beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday, April 1,
in Jefferson Hall, Hotel C on the West Range.
	Society members and other University students and faculty
will read PoeÕs works non-stop until 6 p.m. Sunday, April 2, during
the event held in recognition of the 150th anniversary of the
publication of PoeÕs ÒThe RavenÓ poem.  During the finale, beginning
at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, William Harmon, vice president for student
affairs; Alexander Gilliam, secretary to the Board of Visitors; and
Daniel Jordan, director of Monticello, will read selected works
including ÒThe RavenÓ and Jefferson Society minutes from 1826, which
include a line written by Poe while serving as secretary pro tempore
of the Society.
	ÒBy reading the works of Poe for 24 straight hours,
beginning and ending with ÔThe Raven,Õ the Jefferson Society hopes
to memorialize the life and works of a great writer,Ó said Jeremy
Kahn, chairman of the organizationÕs public services committee.
	All proceeds from the event will support Reading Partners, a
local non-profit organization that promotes literacy among
underprivileged children.
	For more information, call Kahn at (804) 977-1825.
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March 29, 1995