This Was Their Lives


Course number : HS260   

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“ History is the memory of things said and done.”
- Carl L. Becker, historian

This term we feature four individuals who have said and
done a great deal. These snapshots offer a glimpse into
their lives and reveal why they are regarded as “the most
influential,” “the most celebrated,” “the most successful,”
and “the greatest…” in their fields. Join us and discover
both known and lesser-known facts about these
extraordinary history makers.

Oct. 12: Miles Davis with Charley Rich
Miles Davis is considered by many to be the greatest
and most influential musician in the history of Jazz
and 20th century music. He was instrumental in the
development of major musical trends including Bebop,
Cool Jazz, Hard bop, Modal Jazz, and Jazz Fusion. Miles
played trumpet like no one else. His playing was lyrical,
haunting, and full of emotion. He had a restless spirit,
unwilling to keep doing the same thing and always striving
to innovate. His album “Kind of Blue” was and continues
to be one of the most popular jazz albums of all time.
We will cover the life and times of Miles, listening to the
music of each of his pivotal periods at the same time
we examine what was going on in the world and in the
life of Miles.

Oct. 19: The Greatest Knight?William Marshal
with Beverly Jennings
Sir William Marshal (c. 1146-1219 A.D.) aka William the
Marshal, is one of the most celebrated knights of the
Middle Ages. He was undefeated in tournaments, spared
the life of Richard the Lionheart in battle, and was
instrumental in implementing the Magna Carta. We will
discover why the medieval Archbishop of Canterbury,
Stephen Langton, called him “the greatest knight that
ever lived.”

Oct. 26: Berry Gordy with Bonnie Garvey Spadafora
Berry Gordy created Motown, one of the most successful
Black-owned businesses of the 20th century. Motown
Records transformed Black popular music into a dominant
force in mainstream American music. In this session, we’ll
explore the man behind the record label — his life, vision,
and how he made Motown a cultural and commercial
powerhouse that launched the careers of some of the
most legendary recording artists.

Nov. 9: Buster Keaton with Jeffrey Sherman
Buster Keaton was one of the greatest silent film comedians.
His incomparable stunt work, combined with his storytelling,
made Keaton one of the most popular film comedians of
all time, rivaling Charlie Chaplin. From his days as the
principal supporting castmate for Fatty Arbuckle, to his
days as a nostalgic cameo performer in 1960s teen movies,
Keaton was never far from the public eye. We will take a
loving look at Keaton’s life and career in this class.

 

Class Details

4 Session(s)
Weekly - Mon

Location
Ringling College Museum Campus

Instructor
Multiple

Tuition:  $80.00

Registration Closes On
Sunday, October 11, 2026 @ 12:00 AM

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Schedule Information

Skip dates: (No class on 11/02/2026)

Date(s) Class Days Times Location Instructor(s)
10/12/2026 - 11/9/2026 Weekly - Mon 02:00 PM - 03:20 PM Sarasota, Ringling College Museum Campus  Map Bonnie Spadafora  ; Beverly Jennings  ; Jeffrey Sherman  ; Charley Rich 

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