Wilson Center Mourns the Death of George Liston Seay
The Woodrow Wilson Center mourns the death of its beloved longtime colleague and friend George Liston Seay. Of his various roles during a 33-year tenure at the Wilson Center, George will be most remembered as the host of dialogue, the Wilson Center's radio and television series.
The Woodrow Wilson Center mourns the death of its beloved longtime colleague and friend George Liston Seay. George literally was "the voice" of the Wilson Center, having served as executive producer and host of dialogue, the Center's radio and television series. In fact, he had recently taped his 960th episode of the radio show.
At the time of his death, George had the longest tenure of any staff member at the Wilson Center, having begun working at the Center in 1976 as a special assistant to the director, then as the Center's congressional liaison, then as director of development for more than a decade. He began his award-winning work on dialogue in 1988, armed simply with a handheld tape recorder and a fascination with the art of conversation.
"[The] dialogue [series] has been my life," Seay once said. "Conversation is an art that we have largely neglected in modern society it's one of the best aspects of life."
What made George so unique among interviewers was the intense research he conducted on his subjects and topics prior to his interviews, which generated thoughtful and inquisitive conversations. His subjects consistently said they were awed by George's intellect, passion, and modesty.
Last year, George took great pride in the publication of a book that featured 24 of his favorite dialogue interviews. Titled The Art of Conversation, the book includes interviews with presidents, diplomats, dissidents, professors, and poets, each chapter brimming with life lessons.
Outside of the office, George had numerous interests and hobbies. He was a pilot, a sailor, and an equestrian. Before coming to the Wilson Center 33 years ago, he lived in South America for 10 years, the first seven in Brazil volunteering in the Peace Corps and the latter three in the Foreign Service, followed by three years in Mexico working for the Ford Foundation. And, naturally, George loved to read and, several years ago, added an extension to his home to fit all of his books.
A native of Buffalo, New York, George had studied English literature at Hobart College before joining the Peace Corps in 1963.
George took delight in starting conversations with just about anyone. "Never take the person sitting next to you for granted," he once said. "When you get started in a conversation with somebody new, it's like discovering a whole new world. We're surrounded by remarkable people." George was remarkable and will be sorely missed.
Honoring George
A private internment will take place in Buffalo, New York. A memorial service will be held at the Wilson Center on July 8 at 3 pm. For additional information, please send a request to Maria-Stella. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Washington Literacy Council, 1918 18th St., N.W., Suite B2, Washington, D.C. 20009.
About dialogue
For 21 years, the dialogue radio program was produced and hosted by George Liston Seay. The series featured interviews with authors, scholars, and key public figures who explored national and international affairs, history, and culture. Over the years, dialogue has grown into an internationally syndicated program produced in-house at the Wilson Center. In 2002, dialogue partnered with MHz NETWORKS to expand dialogue's reach to television. All of the episodes have been archived online and can be found at: www.wilsoncenter.org/dialogue.
