Pryor Knowledge and Personal Legacy: Natchez Reads with M. B. Gibson
PRYOR KNOWLEDGE AND PERSONAL LEGACY:
Natchez Reads with M.B. Gibson
A family discovery leads to historical fiction set in 1830s Natchez.
Meet the author of Pryor Knowledge and learn how horse racing, heritage, and storytelling collide.
On Tuesday, August 26, 2025, the Natchez Reads 2025 series continues with a uniquely personal event featuring author Mary Beth Gibson. A gifted storyteller, Ms. Gibson is a descendant of John Benjamin Pryor—the real-life trainer of Lexington, the legendary racehorse featured in Geraldine Brooks’s novel Horse.
Her own novel, Pryor Knowledge: Horse Racing, Love, and Slavery in the Antebellum South, explores the complex legacy of her family, interwoven with the lives of the people and horses that shaped 1830s Natchez. Remarkably, Ms. Gibson was unaware of her connection to Pryor until her sister began researching their family genealogy. That discovery led to a four-year journey into the vibrant, conflicted world of antebellum horse racing—and ultimately, to this powerful work of historical fiction.
At this special event, Ms. Gibson will share not only the research behind her novel but also her reflections on what it means to tell stories that are both historical and deeply personal. Whether drawn to the intricacies of the past, the drama of horse racing, or the quiet revelations of family heritage, attendees will find much to explore in this compelling conversation.
This program is especially meaningful for us at Beaumont House. Ms. Gibson first visited Natchez in May to attend the opening lecture of the Natchez Reads 2025 series, and she made plans to return later this summer for her own event. We’re honored to welcome her back—not just as a participant, but as our guest. Her warmth, wit, and genuine love of history make her the kind of visitor who reminds us why we do what we do.
The event, titled In Conversation with Mary Beth Gibson, will be held at 6:00 p.m. at the Historic Natchez Foundation, 108 South Commerce Street. Admission is free and open to the public. A curated selection of books will be available for purchase at the event, including Pryor Knowledge, Horse, and other related titles. These same works are also available at the William Johnson House museum gift shop.
This evening promises to be more than a reading—it’s a conversation about storytelling, identity, and the unexpected paths uncovered through historical research. Whether you’re interested in literature, Southern history, or genealogy, this event offers an opportunity to connect with Natchez’s layered past in a meaningful and personal way.
To learn more about the book Pryor Knowledge and the real-life figures behind the fiction, we invite you to read our previous blog post here:
👉 What do elite racehorses, duels, riverboat gamblers, and moral dilemmas have in common?
Pryor Knowledge by M. B. Gibson: Horse Racing and History in Natchez
Follow along for our final blog post in the From Our Parlor: Stories Worth Sharing series, as we look ahead to a special evening with Pulitzer Prize–winning author Geraldine Brooks in September.
