Buscaglia, bu SKAL yuh, Leo (1924-1998), was a popular American author, educator, and lecturer best known for his optimistic messages about love. He was sometimes called the "hug therapist" because of his fondness for hugging his admirers. At the end of his lectures, many members of the audience would line up to embrace him. Beginning in the late 1970's, the Public Broadcasting System televised many of Buscaglia's lectures. In the early 1980's, several of his books appeared on The New York Times best-seller lists. They were Love (1972), Personhood (1978), Living, Loving, and Learning (1982), The Fall of Freddie the Leaf (1982), and Loving Each Other (1984).