The Treason of Mary Louvestre, By Dr. My Haley

On Thursday evening, March 8, at 6pm, Dr. My Haley will be speaking at the Hampton Roads Naval Museum to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Hampton Roads. Dr. Haley will discuss her new historical fiction book, The Treason of Mary Louvestre. This book focuses on Mary Louvestre, a former slave-turned-spy from Norfolk, who copied the plans of CSS Virginia and made the dangerous trek to Washington, D.C., in early 1862. She then presented those plans to Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles. Mary Louvestre's courage allowed the Union to see CSS Virginia's plans before she went into battle with USS Monitor.

Growing up under her grandmother’s watchful tutelage, Myran Elizabeth Lewis spent her early childhood in South Charleston, West Virginia, before her parents moved the family to Columbus, Ohio. While working on her doctorate in Communications and African American Studies at The Ohio State University, Dr. Haley was inspired by a speech delivered on campus by Alex Haley, writer and author of The Autobiography of Malcolm X. After achieving her goal of earning a Ph.D., she set out on her next goal: to work with the author. Impressed by Dr. Haley’s drive and talent, Alex Haley gave her a major assignment—to assist him in writing the remaining two-thirds of a book that was long overdue to his publisher. Within a matter of months together they completed the work and that book, Roots, catapulted Alex Haley to international fame. My and Alex married in 1977 and over the years she continued to collaborate on many of his projects, including the miniseries Roots: The Next Generation. After Alex’s death, Dr. Haley immersed herself in writing pieces based upon her younger years growing up with her grandmother and writing screenplays for feature film and television.

Advance copies of Dr. Haley's book will be available for purchase at a large savings off list price. She will also be available for book signings after her talk. This program is completely FREE of charge, but reservations are required by Friday, March 2. Food and beverages will be provided. Reserve your spot today by emailing laura.l.orr@navy.mil or calling HRNM's reservation line at 757-322-3109.

Direct all questions to Laura at 757-322-3108 or laura.l.orr@navy.mil. We look forward to seeing you at HRNM on Thursday, March 8!