LAKELAND (Jan. 31, 2013) – Florida Southern College’s Lawton M. Chiles, Jr., Center for Florida History welcomes popular Florida mystery writer Tom Corcoran as he presents a lecture, “The Trials and Tribulations of Alex Rutledge.”

The lecture will be held at 7 p.m. on Feb. 7 in the Hollis Room on the Florida Southern Campus. It is free and open to the public.

Tom Corcoran moved to Florida in 1970. He has been a disc jockey, bartender, AAA travel counselor, U.S. Navy officer, screenwriter, songwriter, freelance photographer, automotive magazine editor, computer graphic artist, and journalist. Corcoran’s photographs have appeared on seven Jimmy Buffett album covers. He co-wrote the Buffett hits “Cuban Crime of Passion” and “Fins.” His photos also have appeared on numerous book jackets, including Thomas McGuane’s An Outside Chance, Winston Groom’s Forrest Gump, and William McKeen’s Mile Marker Zero.

In 1998, Corcoran introduced readers to Alex Rutledge, a Florida Keys freelance photographer, in his first novel, Mango Opera. Six Rutledge adventures followed including Corcoran’s most recent, The Quick Adios (Times Six). Corcoran also runs a small publishing company and markets his novels and books of his photographs, including Jimmy Buffett: The Key West Years, and Key West in Black and White, a collection of stunning photos.

“Tom Corcoran’s protagonist Alex Rutledge has a strong sense of Key West History combined with a knack for adventure. We’ll need to buckle up for the ride,” said James M. Denham, Professor of History and Director of the Lawton Chiles Center for Florida History.

About the Florida Lecture Series
In its 17th year, the Florida Lecture Series at Florida Southern College is a forum that brings speakers to the FSC campus who explore Florida life and culture from a wide range of disciplines, including history, public affairs, law, sociology, criminology, anthropology, literature, and art. The overall objective of the series is to bring members of the community, the faculty, and the student body together to interact with and learn from leading scholars in their fields.