Historian and author Sidney Fine will speak on the topic Frank Murphy: Highlights of His Public Career Wednesday, Oct. 15, in the Theodore Levin U.S. Courthouse in Detroit.

His address is part of the annual meeting of the Historical Society of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. A 3 p.m. reception with light refreshments will precede the presentation.

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Fine is distinguished professor of history at the University of Michigan with which he has been associated since 1948.

He is a graduate of Western Reserve University, Cleveland, and has a master's degree and a doctorate in history from the University of Michigan.

Fine is the author of numerous books and articles about labor and government. His most recent honors include Doctor of Humane Letters, DePauw University, 1997, and Doctor of Laws, University of Massachusetts-Boston, 1997.

Fine has held many administrative positions at the University of Michigan and has served in many professional positions as officer or member.

The Eastern District of Michigan is one of the largest federal courts in the country. The Historical Society was formed in 1992 to preserve the history of the court and the men and women involved with it.

The event is free, but reservations are needed. For more information call the society at (313) 234-5049.