Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) Carter and Moyers School of Education Dean Sylvia D.Lynch has published “Jack Lord: An Acting Life.”

The biography explores the life and work of actor Jack Lord, whose life is as colorful and interesting as the characters he played on the big and small screens. Before his rise to superstardom portraying detective Steve McGarrett on the long-running police drama “Hawaii Five-O,” Lord was already a dedicated and versatile actor on Broadway, in film and on television. His range of roles included a Virginia gentleman planter in colonial Williamsburg (The Story of a Patriot), CIA agent Felix Leiter in the first James Bond film (Dr. No) and the title character in the cult classic rodeo TV series “Stoney Burke.”

Lord’s career culminated in 12 seasons on “Hawaii Five-O,” where his creative control of the series left an indelible mark on every aspect of its production. Lynch said she set off to learn more about him after she watched all 12 seasons of “Hawaii Five-O” when it came out on DVD.

“I just realized how busy he was all those years before Five-O and the more I read about him the more intrigued I became,” she said. “I had no idea just how much I would find, however, once I got into the research.”

Lynch’s book, the first to draw on Lord’s massive personal archive, gives a behind-the-scenes look into the life and work of a TV legend. “I was fortunate to discover that he donated his personal papers to the Cinematic Arts Library at the University of Southern California. It was an uncatalogued collection and I enjoyed looking through the boxes just as he had left them. The things he saved told me a lot about what he valued and how he approached his work as an actor,” Lynch said. “I have always loved reading biographies and writing them is even more fun. It’s kind of a legal reason to be nosy, I guess.”

Lynch will do a reading and discussion of “Jack Lord: An Acting Life” on April 24, at 6:30 p.m. at the Arnold Auditorium at the Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum on the campus of Lincoln Memorial University. She will also host a book signing after the event and will have copies of the book for sale at a discounted price to attendees.

Lynch has published two books of western outlaw history and her short stories have appeared in a number of anthologies. Lynch received Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees from LMU and a Master of Science and Doctorate in Education from the University of Tennessee. Her association with LMU is long and distinguished. She began in an adjunct position in 1985 and has served in various capacities including alumni director, J. Frank White Academy principal, chair of the department of humanities, assistant vice president for university advancement, professor and has helmed the Carter and Moyers School of Education as dean since 2016.

A leading independent publisher of academic nonfiction, McFarland is recognized for noteworthy books about pop culture, sports, military, transportation, body and mind, literature, history and medieval studies, among other topics. McFarland currently offers about 6,000 books in print.

Lincoln Memorial University is a values-based learning community dedicated to providing educational experiences in the liberal arts and professional studies. The main campus is located in Harrogate. For more information about the undergraduate and graduate programs available at LMU, contact the Office of Admissions at 423-869-6280 or email at admissions@LMUnet.edu.