About the event
The Friends of the Bodleian are delighted to announce that the speaker at this year's Annual Lecture will be Mary Beard.
This phenomenally popular and revered Professor of Classics, author, editor and contributor will be delivering the Annual Lecture for the Friends of the Bodleian to celebrate their 100th anniversary. It is a privilege to welcome the celebrated writer of SPQR, Pompeii: The Life off a Roman Town, Twelve Caesars, Emperor of Rome and many more wonderful tomes.
This lecture will explore the library as a space of knowledge, excitement, risk and danger — and of inclusion and exclusion. Set in the Bodleian and beyond, it will look at film and fiction (including the alarming number of murders in the stacks), while wondering how the library's sometime edgy fictional reputation relates to its real-life function. Libraries will never be entirely safe spaces; they are too important for that.
The lecture will be followed by a drinks reception.
Speaker
Mary Beard is one of Britain’s best-known classicists. A professor emerita at the University of Cambridge, she is the author of many articles and books, including Pompeii: The Life of a Roman Town (2009), SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome (2015), Women & Power: A Manifesto (2017), Civilisations (2018) – one of a series of volumes accompanying the major BBC series – and Twelve Caesars (2021). Her latest book is Emperor of Rome (2023). She is a fellow of the British Academy and a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, as well as Classics editor for the Times Literary Supplement. The Bodleian Libraries awarded her the Bodley Medal in 2016.
Location
This event takes place in person in Blackwell Hall at the Weston Library.
How to get to the Weston Library
Book tickets
All are welcome to attend this event. You must book your place in advance.
Friends and Patrons of the Bodleian
Tickets are free for Friends and Patrons of the Bodleian. To book as a Friend, contact fob@bodleian.ox.ac.uk with your membership number.
General admission
For members of the public, tickets are £20. This includes a drinks reception after the lecture.
Book now
Join 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.
Wheelchair access
Blackwell Hall is wheelchair accessible.
