AUBURN — The Androscoggin Historical Society will sponsor a program, “The Unknown Edward Little,” by Douglas Hodgkin, based upon his new book, “Dear Parent: A Biography and Letters of Edward Little.” The talk will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 28, at the society’s Davis-Wagg Museum on the third floor of the county building.

Edward Little is best recognized as the name of Auburn’s high school. “However, most people would find it difficult to tell why he is so honored beyond the fact that he founded the school,” according to Hodgkin. “This man and his family were extremely important in the development of mills and other infrastructure that contributed to the industrialization of Lewiston and Auburn.”

In addition, Little came to this area at age 53. Before that he had an extensive career as a lawyer, businessman, investor and politician in Newburyport, Massachusetts, and in Portland. Through research in archives, deeds and newspapers, Hodgkin has been able to discover details of this earlier period.

The books will be available for purchase and signing at the illustrated talk.

Hodgkin is the author of several books on the histories of Lewiston and Auburn. They include “Fractured Family: Fighting in the Maine Courts”; “The Lewiston and Auburn Railroad Company”; “The Baptists of Court Street, Auburn”; “When Presidents and Hopefuls Came to Town”; and “Lewiston Politics in the Gilded Age, 1863-1900.”

Admission for the program is free, although donations are accepted. Those attending should enter the building on the Court Street side. An elevator is available.

FMI: 207-784-0586.

Edward Little