Perspectives on America

Wednesday evening sees the first lecture in the  Perspectives on America series, a collaboration between BRLSI and the American Museum in Britain at Claverton Down, Bath. The series, which runs until 17th May, is being held to celebrate the Golden Anniversary of the Museum’s foundation.

The first lecture is Henry James and the American Novel, by Prof David Timms, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Bath Spa University. Prof Timms will consider whether James is best understood as an American novellist, a Transatlantic one  or simply, as Edmund Wilson termed him, ‘Universal’, with illustrations from works including The Portrait of a Lady and The Ambassadors. The lecture begins at 7.30pm (doors open 7pm).
On Monday 31st January Dr Richard Wendorf, Director of the American Museum (and a BRLSI Trustee) will speak on Four Men and a Fortune – the Making and Remaking of the American Museum. He’ll tell the story of the four partners who founded the museum, its swashbuckling first director and the craftsman who transformed Claverton Manor into the only museum of Americana outside the USA.

Other events in the series include The Origins, Meaning and Significance of the Declaration of Independence & US Constitution (2nd March), Jacob Rees-Mogg MP on the Special Relationship (30th April) and an exhibition, American Wilderness, that runs from 5th March to 25th April.