Speaker Series: Greg Taylor -- L U S I T A N I A R. E. X

L U S I T A N I A  R. E. X is an historical fiction account of the sinking of the Lusitania replete with spies and secret societies, superweapons, millionaires and martyrs. After being struck by a single torpedo on 7 May 1915, the Lusitania sank in only eighteen minutes. The main character in the story is Alfred Vanderbilt, Yale Class of 1899 (and a member of Skull and Bones), who perished after giving his lifebelt to a woman passenger. Other prominent Yalies in the story include President Taft (the first Yale President), his Secretary of Treasury and Secretary of War as well as Percy Rockefeller, Harry Whitney and Henry Sloan Coffin.

*****

About the Speaker:

Greg Taylor's passion for history, art and music attracted him to Europe, and he has lived in London for 14 years and is now a UK citizen. Greg attended college on the East Coast, at Williams College, but describes the experience as “leaving him hungry for more” so he chose to come to England for his junior year. Living in a castle at the University of Durham was a life-changing event, the significance of which he only became aware of later in life.

After college, Greg moved to New York and started a career in investment banking. He got his MBA at the Yale School of Management in 1991, and by virtue of living next to the Tomb, became interested in the Skull and Bones secret society. His interest in travel and history has led him to the various places in this fascinating new book, L U S I T A N I A R. E. X. Similarly, his desire for original source material led him to contact the recently deceased Duke of Marlborough and Alfred Vanderbilt III, both of whom contributed to the factual elements of the story.

*****

About the Talk:

The author will discuss the writing of the book, including his sources and contact with Alfred Vanderbilt’s grandson, the Duke of Marlborough (who sadly passed away on 16 October 2014) and Trubee Davison’s grandson - both of whom shared original material and anecdotes about their grandparents that are reflected in the story.

The date 7 May 2015 will mark the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Lusitania in only eighteen minutes after being struck by a German torpedo. Greg Taylor is an expert in this historic event that has inspired mystery, intrigue and debate over the past century and continues to hit headlines. The official launch party for the L U S I T A N I A R. E. X by Greg Taylor will also kick-start the commemorations of the sinking of this great ship – a full schedule of events is being planned in Liverpool, Ireland, London and elsewhere to remember this historic WWI event.