RIO GRANDE — A University of Rio Grande professor is writing a book about Ironton native and World War I flying ace, Col. William Lambert and is asking area residents who remember Lambert to meet with him and share those memories.

Dr. Samuel Wilson said he first became interested in Lambert several years ago when a colleague, Ivan Tribe, asked him to research and write an article about Lambert for a local history journal.

“I had never heard of him before then,” Wilson said. “I had no idea who he was.”

And he became fascinated. Wilson said his book is meant to be an in-depth probe of Lambert, his personality, his life and his place in history as a pilot in the early years of aviation and how the war and his love of

flying in turn affected his life.

“This is not going to be a book that describes his war exploits, but explores him as an individual and in the context of the war and puts him in perspective,” Wilson said.

The book may also discuss other early-years pilots such as fellow World War I flying ace Eddie Rickenbacker and Germany’s Baron von Richthofen.

Wilson is scheduling interviews on Thursday, July 19 and Friday, July 20 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. each day at the Briggs Lawrence Library.

Those interested in participating in these interviews may contact him at 1-800-282-7201, ext. 7374 or by email at swilson@rio.edu.