Where do monsters come from and why do they matter? From dragons and unicorns to vampires and zombies, monsters have terrified and intrigued us from earliest times. Where do these ideas originate? That’s what the BRLSI is asking in a special one-day symposium. Join us IN PERSON at Queen Square or ONLINE for four fascinating talks (with complimentary tea and coffee). Tickets from www.brlsi.org These are the talks (all times listed are UK time): 10am “tis altogether different from what we fancied” To open the symposium, Matt Williams explains the thinking behind the BRLSI’s ‘Beyond Beastly’ exhibition and explores some of the featured themes. (Matt Williams, Collections Manager at Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution). 12pm Dinosaurs: A New Vision Dinosaurs are not what you thought they were. Or, at least, they didn’t look like you think they did. World-leading palaeontologist Michael J. Benton – working with illustrator Bob Nicholls – brings us a new visual guide to the world of the dinosaurs. (Prof. Mike Benton, Professor of Vertebrate Paleontology, University of Bristol). 2pm Monstrosity in Nineteenth-Century Gothic Literature Focusing on representations of the non-human in Gothic literature, this talk explores the nineteenth-century fascination with uncanny beasts and monsters. (Dr Nicky Lloyd, Senior Lecturer in English Literature, Bath Spa University). 4pm The Beast Within, the Beast Without From mythology, religion, philosophy and psychology, beasts are everywhere and provide both an explanation of who we are and how the world is. (Andreas Wasmuht, BRLSI Philosophy & Psychology Convenor) Tickets for the full event: BRLSI Members: £10; Non-members: £20 For tickets visit www.brlsi.org

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