KINGSTON, R.I. — April 8, 1999 — It’s not a coincidence that the International Berkeley Society Conference is being held in Newport this year. George Berkeley, one of the most important 18th century philosophers whose contributions are part of nearly every philosophical curriculum in the world, became a familiar figure in Newport shortly after he stepped foot there 270 years ago. In recognition of the anniversary of Berkeley’s arrival in the state and the 300th anniversary of the founding of Trinity Church in Newport, the 1999 International Berkeley Society Conference: “The Legacy of George Berkeley: From the 18th to the 21st Century,” will be held in the city by the sea from April 21 through 24. The four-day conference has a number of public events that are free. (See highlights below.) University of Rhode Island Philosophers and Conference Coordinators Drs. Andre Ariew and Galen Johnson, with support from the Rhode Island Committee for the Humanities, the International Berkeley Society, Salve Regina University, Rhode Island College, and the Colonial Dames of Rhode Island have organized a program of events celebrating Berkeley’s three-year stay in Rhode Island. The program will focus on Berkeley’s wide-ranging contributions to philosophy, theology, economics, politics, and the arts. Although the talks are free and open to the public, there is a registration fee for participation in the banquets and receptions. The following are highlights of public events: • Thursday, April 22, 5 p.m. at Honyman Hall, Trinity Church, Raimy Leahy, owner of Berkeley’s Dysart Castle, Kilkenny, Ireland will speak: “On the Excavation of Dysart Castle.” • Thursday, April 22, 8 p.m. at Honyman Hall, Trinity Church, Maureen Lapan, from Rhode Island College, “Berkeley in Newport” and Ian Tipton (president of the International Berkeley Society) from U. of Wales, “Berkeley as Thinker and as Man of Action.” • Friday, April 23 at 4 p.m. in the Sanctuary of the Trinity Church, William Hutchison will perform an historical reenactment of one of Berkeley’s sermons. • Saturday, April 24 at 11:30 a.m. in Redwood Library, Cora Gibbs, will speak on the following paintings by John Smibert, Berkeley’s portraits: ‘The Bermuda Group’ and ‘Berkeley and His Family.’ • Saturday, April 24 at noon, Ronald Onorato of the University of Rhode Island, will conduct a walking architectural tour of Newport. The walk will start at the Redwood Library. Copies of the complete conference program can be found at Redwood Library, http://www.uri.edu/artsci/phl/Berkeley.htm or at Honyman Hall, Trinity Church. For more information, call the conference coordinators: Professors Galen Johnson, 401-874-2812 (gjohnson@uri.edu) or Andre Ariew 401-874-2812 (ariew@uri.edu). For More Information: Dr. Andre Ariew, 874-2812 Jan Sawyer, 874-2116