As befits an intellectual populace, Boston [1] and Cambridge’s [2] many colleges and universities often open their doors to the public for lectures by speakers at the top of their academic games. The Harvard University [3] Gazette (www.news.harvard.edu/gazette [4]) publishes a full schedule of talks, as do the websites of Boston University (www.bu.edu/calendar [5]) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology [6] (http://events.mit.edu [7]).
Public lectures, often on topics relating to the city’s history, geography, or various ethnic cultures, are also held periodically at Boston Public Library [8] (700 Boylston St., 617/536-5400, http://www.bpl.org/news/calendar.htm [9]) and Old South Meeting House [10] (310 Washington St., 617/482-6439, www.oldsouthmeetinghouse.org [11]).
Contemporary readings and talks by authors are held at several noteworthy bookstores, including Harvard Bookstore (1256 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, 800/542-7323, www.harvard.com [12]) and Brookline Booksmith (279 Harvard St., Brookline, 617/566-6660, www.brooklinebooksmith.com [13]), which for popular authors takes over the Coolidge Corner Movie Theater (290 Harvard St., Brookline, 617/734-2500, www.coolidge.org [14]) across the street.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/massachusetts/boston
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/massachusetts/boston/cambridge-and-somerville
[3] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/massachusetts/boston/cambridge-and-somerville/sights/harvard-university
[4] http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette
[5] http://www.bu.edu/calendar
[6] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/massachusetts/boston/cambridge-and-somerville/sights/massachusetts-institute-technology
[7] http://events.mit.edu
[8] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/massachusetts/boston/sights/back-bay/boston-public-library
[9] http://www.bpl.org/news/calendar.htm
[10] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/massachusetts/boston/sights/downtown-crossing/old-south-meeting-house
[11] http://www.oldsouthmeetinghouse.org
[12] http://www.harvard.com
[13] http://www.brooklinebooksmith.com
[14] http://www.coolidge.org