Researchers and authors Earl J. Hess and Pratibha A. Dabholkar published a new biography, Gene Kelly: the Making of a Creative Legend. Their research gives new insight into the impact Kelly had on American culture through an exploration his life, career, personality, and passion for a wide range of arts.

Eric Arnold, GIS Specialist collaborated with the researchers to assemble relevant data to create custom maps showing key locations related to Kelly’s childhood and dance career. Michelle Brannen, Head of the Scholars’ Collaborative consulted with the researchers on the process of scanning archival images and in the use of design software to annotate images.

Earl J. Hess is Stewart W. McClelland Distinguished Chair in History at Lincoln Memorial University and Pratibha A. Dabholkar is emerita professor at the College of Business at the University of Tennessee. The book, Gene Kelly: the Making of a Creative Legend, is published by the University Press of Kansas and is available to check out from the UT Libraries.