JAMES BALDWIN AND HIS JOURNEY TO SELF-LOVE
NICHOLAS BOGGS WILL DISCUSS BALDWIN: A LOVE STORY AT THE MOUNT THIS SUMMER
B y E l i s e L i n s c o t t G l a d s t o n e
Scholar and author Nicholas Boggs has spent his career studying the life and work of James Baldwin. So, it’ s fitting that Boggs has written the first major biography about Baldwin in three decades, released last summer to much fanfare and critical acclaim. Boggs will make two appearances at The Mount, Edith Wharton Cultural Center, August 17 and 18, for a story-driven multimedia experience exploring Baldwin: A Love Story.
Boggs’ book delves into the romantic and personal relationships that shaped the writing of Baldwin, a Black gay man who rejected labels and whose most influential essays, books, and plays were written during the time of the Civil Rights Movement. While Baldwin made many connections and was a voracious reader, he was heavily influenced by Henry James and was a fan of Edith Wharton’ s writing, too.
“ To me, it’ s really special to be at a place that another great writer, like Edith Wharton, spent time, and where she lived,” Boggs says.“ We can think about how these places, these sanctuaries, shape writers and, in this case, beautifully become a place where people can come together today and talk about these writers and their legacies.”
Ahead of his upcoming appearance, Boggs spoke with me about his book, Baldwin’ s legacy, and what attendees at The Mount can expect to experience.
May / June 2026 BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE // 85