Michael Gray, a widely published critic, writer and broadcaster, will speak on "Bob Dylan and the Poetry of the Blues" at 4 p.m. Wednesday in room 101 of the Miller Learning Center at the University of Georgia.

Using music and rare footage, Gray will discuss how Dylan has been inspired by the blues and how much of its poetry has been used in his own writing.

The event is free and open to the public.

Gray is recognized as a world authority on Dylan's work, and is an expert on rock ‘n' roll history and the blues, with a special interest in pre-war blues. He grew up in Merseyside, England, went to the Cavern, studied history and English at York University, and as a student journalist interviewed Jimi Hendrix.

His "Bob Dylan Encyclopedia," published by Continuum in New York in 2006, won the International Association of Music Libraries' C. B. Oldman Prize for an outstanding work of reference and research.

His pioneering study "Song and Dance Man" published in the 1972 was the first full-length critical study of Dylan's work. A second, updated edition was published in 1981. The massive third edition "Song and Dance Man III," including a 112-page study of Dylan's use of the blues, was published in early 2000 in the U.S.

His work has been published in Rolling Stone, Literary Review, Independent, Guardian, Observer, Sunday Times, Weekend Telegraph, Independent on Sunday, Sunday Telegraph, Melody Maker, Uncut and more.

Gray he has delivered more than 140 talks at arts festivals, literary festivals, music festivals and arts centers, including at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.