The defense of Ebenezer
“A Christmas Carol,” the transformative tale by Charles Dickens about the ill-tempered anti-hero Ebenezer Scrooge, is for many an integral part of the literary Christmas canon. Yet few of those familiar with the work likely have heard of its entertaining counterpart, a brief work penned decades ago by a popular Harvard professor. But if listeners tune in to Harvard’s student-run radio station WHRB (95.3 FM) tomorrow evening (Dec. 23), they will hear the late Professor David Owen deliver “In Defense of Scrooge,” his humorous and historic ode to the iconic novella. The broadcast, part of the station’s annual holiday programming on Friday from 7 to 10 p.m., will be preceded by a recording of the original “A Christmas Carol,” starring actor Lionel Barrymore as Scrooge. Owen’s work became a festive holiday tradition at Winthrop House because of his wry wit and insightful intellect. Winthrop’s longtime House master, Owen was also the Gurney Professor of...
