About the event
As a medievalist, Professor Lesley Smith rarely sees anything written in the hand of the authors she studied. So she decided to explore the autograph archives of the famous names preserved in the Bodleian Library. Her new book, Handwritten: Remarkable People on the Page, traces that journey – from a schoolboy writing a postcard in late antique Egypt to Alan Bennett giving voice to Mr Toad.
What – if anything! – can handwriting reveal about its author? In this talk, Lesley Smith and Samuel Fanous, Head of Publishing at the Bodleian Libraries, look at some of the stories behind the Bodleian Library’s collections.
Speakers
Lesley Smith studied at the London School of Economics, the University of Oxford, and the Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies in Toronto. She is Professor of Medieval Intellectual History at the University of Oxford and Fellow in Politics at Harris Manchester College, Oxford.
Samuel Fanous is Head of Publishing at Bodleian Library Publishing.
Booking information
The event is free and open to all but booking is required. You can attend this event in person at the Weston Library or online via Zoom.
When you have booked your place, the ticketing system will send you an automated confirmation. If you book to attend this event online, you will receive details for joining the Zoom webinar by email. If you have not received these 3 hours before the event, please contact fob@bodleian.ox.ac.uk.
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Friends of the Bodleian
This talk is supported by the Friends of the Bodleian. To enjoy closer access to the Bodleian, including exclusive events and priority access to online content, join the Friends today.
For more information email fob@bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Location
This lecture will be held in person in the Sir Victor Blank Lecture Theatre at the Weston Library and online via Zoom.
Weston Library, Broad Street, Oxford, OX1 3BG
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Wheelchair access
The Weston Library is wheelchair accessible.
