By GINNY COOPER/ Staff writer

MONTEVALLO—The Concert and Lecture Committee of the University of Montevallo and the department of music will present a lecture on renowned 16^th-century composer William Byrd Thursday, Feb. 13, at 3:30 p.m. in LeBaron Recital Hall.

Kerry McCarthy, associate professor of music at Duke University, will give the lecture titled “From the Library of a Renaissance Composer.”

McCarthy is considered one of the world’s leading experts on William Byrd and music in Renaisssance England, and has published several books on the subject, including “Liturgy and Contemplation in Byrd’s Gradualia” and the biography “William Byrd.”

Byrd, a staunch Catholic during a time when Catholics were routinely persecuted in England, assembled a library with some very surprising volumes on religious and political controversies, many of which argued violently against his own beliefs.

In this lecture, McCarthy will describe the colorful content of the books, and discuss why Byrd might have been interested in them. McCarthy will also discuss her quest to find and authenticate the books as being Byrd’s property.

This lecture is free and open to the public. A reception will follow.