University of South Carolina historian Dr. Walter Edgar will discuss the importance of naturalist Mark Catesby to South Carolina's early history Tuesday, March

24, at a free public screening of the film, The Curious Mister

Catesby.

The event will take place at 7 pm in the university's School of Law auditorium. On display will be the

Gibbes- Robinson Catesby, a rare first edition of Natural

History of Carolina, Florida and The Bahama Islands that has been given to the university libraries' rare books and special collections by Susan Gibbes Robinson.

Joining Edgar will be the film's producer, David Elliott, who will offer brief remarks before the 53- minute film is shown.

A reception co- sponsored by the Thomas Cooper Society and Institute for Southern Studies will take place afterward in the lobby.

The film, The Curious Mister Catesby, details the life and work of 18th- century British scientist and artist Mark Catesby (1683- 1749) and his seminal work. Funded by the Catesby Commemorative Trust, the film will begin airing on SC- ETV beginning April 5.

Edgar is the George Washington Distinguished Professor of History and Claude Henry Neuffer Professor of Southern Studies at the University of South Carolina.

803-576-6016 or libdev@mailbox.sc.edu.