Leicester Literary and Philosophical Society

Providing lectures at the cutting edge
of modern thinking since 1835

Forthcoming Lit&Phil Events

This page lists this season's Lit&Phil events - you can also download a summary here.

Click here for the Natural History Section events. 

The Geology Section has a separate website: www.charnia.org.uk/

Scroll to the end of the page for past events.

    • 7 Oct 2024
    • 19:30 - 21:00
    • Hansom Hall in the Leicester Adult Education College, 50-54 Belvoir St, Leicester LE1 6QL
    • 86
    Register
     

    The President's Address

    Mr Nigel Siesage JP MA

    Lecture outline

    The mid-nineteenth century is commonly regarded as an age of reform, not least in electoral practice and the extension of voting rights - in contrast to the corruption of the eighteenth century famously depicted in Hogarth's cartoons. Drawing on the literature and art of the period, as well as historical sources, the lecture will examine the extent to which electoral reform actually changed electoral practice and the various forces influencing electors; and will present some of the more colourful aspects and characters involved in Victorian electioneering.

    Biographical note

    Nigel came to Leicester for a temporary post organising the University of Leicester's jubilee programme in 1981-82 - and he remains a member of the University more than 40 years later.

    Born in London, he was educated at King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford, and then at Lincoln College Oxford, where he read Modern History. He joined the civil service fast stream on graduation, but soon returned to Oxford to carry out research.

    After leaving Oxford for a second time following a period of ill health, he took the post at Leicester, and this initial appointment was soon made permanent. He then held several posts, first in planning and governance, and then as the University's first Director of External Relations. He was instrumental, with academic colleagues, in developing the proposal for the creation of the National Space Centre in Leicester, successfully advocating its adoption by the Millennium Commission. He has since served as a Trustee of the organisation for a number of years.

    From 2002 he was head of the administration of the University's Medical School and related academic departments. From its inception, he was closely involved in the running of the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT), which is now used in admissions by all the UK's medical schools. He served as the consortium's chairman for nine years, leading its expansion to many overseas institutions, particularly in Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia.

    He retired from the University in 2019 but retains an honorary position as a University Fellow and one of the University's Public Orators. He has been a Justice of the Peace since 1997. He is a member of the Parochial Church Council of St Mary Magdalen, Knighton, and has edited the Lit and Phil's Transactions since 2020.

    Nigel is married to Susan, a retired headteacher, who is also a member of the Society's Council. They have two children.

    Attending the lecture

    The lecture is open both to members of the Society and to guests.

    The lecture will take place in Hansom Hall - how to find Hansom Hall.

    The lecture will also be streamed on Zoom. A recording of the lecture may be available to members only.

    • 28 Oct 2024
    • 19:30 - 21:00
    • Hansom Hall in the Leicester Adult Education College, 50-54 Belvoir St, Leicester LE1 6QL
    • 99
    Register

    Professor Sarah Hart, MA, MSc, PhD, FHEA

    Mathematician and Author. Professor Emerita of Mathematics, Birkbeck, University of London

    Lecture outline

    This lecture will explore the many connections between mathematics and literature. I'll show you the hidden mathematical structures behind everything from poetry to novels, and reveal some of the beautiful mathematical imagery and symbolism in fiction, from simple fairytales to classics like Moby-Dick. My goal is to show that not only are mathematics and literature inextricably linked, but that understanding these links can enhance our enjoyment of both.

    Biographical note

    Sarah Hart is a mathematician and author. She is Professor Emerita of Mathematics at Birkbeck College (University of London), and has recently served a four-year term as Professor of Geometry at Gresham College, the first woman to hold this chair since its creation in 1597. Sarah is particularly interested in the cultural, historical and creative impact of mathematics, and the links between mathematics and the arts. She is a passionate mathematics communicator and sought-after public speaker. Her first book Once Upon a Prime; the Wondrous Connections between Mathematics and Literature was published in April 2023. It was a New York Times Book Review Editor’s choice, and the Sunday Times called it a “glorious compendium of mathematical fact and left-field literary appreciation [that] deserves a large and varied readership”.

    Attending the lecture

    The lecture is open both to members of the Society and to guests.

    The lecture will take place in Hansom Hall - how to find Hansom Hall.

    The lecture will also be streamed on Zoom. A recording of the lecture may be available to members only.

    • 4 Nov 2024
    • 19:30 - 21:00
    • Hansom Hall in the Leicester Adult Education College, 50-54 Belvoir St, Leicester LE1 6QL
    • 100
    Register

    Gautam G Bodiwala, CBE, DL, JP. DSc (Hon), MS, FRCS, FRCP, FRCEM, FIFEM, FRSA

    Former World President International Federation for Emergency Medicine, Consultant in Emergency Medicine


    Lecture outline

    The lecture will describe the history of the development of Accident and Emergency care, how Britain pioneered a new specialty and led a global movement. The speaker will track the history of emergency care from 300 BC in ancient times, what emergency medical care was like 500 years back in the UK, and how ‘casualty surgery and medicine’ was transformed into ‘Emergency Medicine’

    About the speaker

    Gautam Bodiwala is acknowledged as one of the pioneers and experts in the field of Emergency Medicine, nationally and internationally.

    He was appointed as Head of the ED in Leicester, England in 1977. He retained that position for 26 years. He has held many leadership positions nationally and internationally.

    He was awarded Honorary Doctorate by University of Leicester and De Montfort University, CBE by her Majesty the Queen (first for Emergency Medicine). The Emergency Department in Leicester is named after him as ‘Gautam Bodiwala Emergency Department’, the only in the UK. The International Federation for Emergency Medicine has created its highest award ‘Gautam Bodiwala Lifetime Leadership Achievement Award’ to mark his contribution internationally and founding of the International Federation. He has received nine fellowships of Royal Medical colleges and Hon membership of EM organisations.

    He has published over 70 papers, one book and given many keynote speeches in more than 40 countries including inaugural eponymous lecture at International and European level.

    He sits on the Court of the University of Leicester and has served as Pro Chancellor of the De Montfort University.  

    Attending the lecture

    The lecture is open both to members of the Society and to guests.

    The lecture will take place in Hansom Hall - how to find Hansom Hall.

    The lecture will also be streamed on Zoom. A recording of the lecture may be available to members only.

    • 18 Nov 2024
    • 19:30 - 21:00
    • Hansom Hall in the Leicester Adult Education College, 50-54 Belvoir St, Leicester LE1 6QL
    • 100
    Register

    Professor Robert Colls BA DPhil

    Emeritus Professor of Cultural History, International Centre for Sport History and Culture, De Montfort University


    Lecture outline

    Trials and tribulations of a historian who thought he knew what he was doing…

    Biographical note

    Robert Colls was born in South Shields and educated at the universities of Sussex and York. He came to Leicester in 1979 to work at Vaughan College and in the department of Adult Education. He was formerly professor of History at Leicester University, and at de Montfort University. 

    Attending the lecture

    The lecture is open both to members of the Society and to guests.

    The lecture will take place in Hansom Hall - how to find Hansom Hall.

    The lecture will also be streamed on Zoom. A recording of the lecture may be available to members only.

    • 2 Dec 2024
    • 19:30 - 21:00
    • Hansom Hall in the Leicester Adult Education College, 50-54 Belvoir St, Leicester LE1 6QL
    • 100
    Register

    The Arthur and Jean Humphreys Lecture

    Professor Katherine Newey, PhD.

    Professor of Theatre History
    University of Exeter.

    Lecture outline

    Although the nineteenth century is widely regarded as the ‘Golden Age’ of pantomime, the pantomime form was in a process of constant evolution throughout the century. Historically, pantomime is distinguished by change and its knowing self-referentiality. But there’s one constant – that Pantomime is not what it used to be. Indeed, pantomime is never what it used to be. The constant in pantomime is nostalgia, which is paradoxically paired with sensation and novelty. Victorian pantomime was the vehicle for the representation of the latest, the new, the fads, the fashions of the times.

    In my lecture I’ll explore the ways in which the pantomimes we see today have their roots in the Victorian pantomime, and its melding of the Harlequinade of the classic commedia dell’arte with the robust, rude and knockabout humour of the Clown and the Dame.

    Biographical note

    Kate Newey is Professor of Theatre History at the University of Exeter. Her work focuses on women’s writing and nineteenth century British popular theatre. She has published academic books and essays on John Ruskin, Victorian women playwrights, and the politics of the pantomime. She has held research Fellowships at Harvard University, the Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington DC, and the Harry Ransom Humanities Research Centre, University of Texas (Austin). She is currently leading a large-scale project funded by the European Research Council, ‘Women’s Transnational Theatre Networks, 1789-1914.’

    Attending the lecture

    The lecture is open both to members of the Society and to guests.

    The lecture will take place in Hansom Hall - how to find Hansom Hall.

    The lecture will also be streamed on Zoom. A recording of the lecture may be available to members only.

    • 13 Jan 2025
    • 19:30 - 21:00
    • Hansom Hall in the Leicester Adult Education College, 50-54 Belvoir St, Leicester LE1 6QL
    • 100

    (Photo: University of Leicester)

    Lecture sponsored by the University of Leicester

    Dame Maggie Aderin Pocock DBE

    Space Scientist and Chancellor of the University of Leicester

    Registation for this event will open by August. 

    Details to follow

    Attending the lecture

    The lecture is open both to members of the Society and to guests.

    The lecture will take place in Hansom Hall - how to find Hansom Hall.

    The lecture will also be streamed on Zoom. A recording of the lecture may be available to members only.

    • 27 Jan 2025
    • 19:30 - 21:00
    • Hansom Hall in the Leicester Adult Education College, 50-54 Belvoir St, Leicester LE1 6QL
    • 100

    (Photo: University of Loughborough)

    Lecture sponsored by the Loughborough University

    Professor David Deacon BA (Hons) MA PhD

    Professor of Communication and Media Analysis, Centre for Research in Communication and Culture, Loughborough University


    Registation for this event will open by August. 

    Details to follow shortly


    Attending the lecture

    The lecture is open both to members of the Society and to guests.

    The lecture will take place in Hansom Hall - how to find Hansom Hall.

    The lecture will also be streamed on Zoom. A recording of the lecture may be available to members only.

    • 10 Feb 2025
    • 19:30 - 21:00
    • Hansom Hall in the Leicester Adult Education College, 50-54 Belvoir St, Leicester LE1 6QL
    • 100

    Image courtesy of the Univeresity of Leicester

    Sponsored by The Royal Society of Chemistry

    Dr Josh Smalley MChem PhD

    Research Associate and Science Communication Champion University of Leicester

    Great British Bake Off finalist 2023

    Registation for this event will open by August. 

    This lecture is sponsored by the Royal Society of Chemistry

    Attending the lecture

    The lecture is open both to members of the Society and to guests.

    The lecture will take place in Hansom Hall - how to find Hansom Hall.

    The lecture will also be streamed on Zoom. A recording of the lecture may be available to members only.

    • 24 Feb 2025
    • 19:30 - 21:00
    • Hansom Hall in the Leicester Adult Education College, 50-54 Belvoir St, Leicester LE1 6QL
    • 100

    (Photo:  De Montfort University)

    Lecture sponsored by De Montfort University

    Professor Kelly Wilder DPhil

    Professor of Photographic History, Director, Photographic History Research Centre and Director, Institute of Art and Design, De Montfort University


    Registation for this event will open by August. 

    Details to follow shortly

    Attending the lecture

    The lecture is open both to members of the Society and to guests.

    The lecture will take place in Hansom Hall - how to find Hansom Hall.

    The lecture will also be streamed on Zoom. A recording of the lecture may be available to members only.

    • 10 Mar 2025
    • 19:30 - 21:00
    • Hansom Hall in the Leicester Adult Education College, 50-54 Belvoir St, Leicester LE1 6QL
    • 100

    Natural History Section Joint Lecture

    Dr Oli Pescott PhD

    Research Scientist


    Registration for this event will open by August. 

    Details to follow shortly

    Attending the lecture

    The lecture is open both to members of the Society and to guests.

    The lecture will take place in Hansom Hall - how to find Hansom Hall.

    The lecture will also be streamed on Zoom. A recording of the lecture may be available to members only.

    • 17 Mar 2025
    • 18:30 - 19:30
    • The University of Leicester
     

    The 2024 Peach Lecture

    Jonathan ‘Jo’ Deeming BArch DipArch MArch RIBA SCA AABC

    RIBA Chartered Architect, Partner Purcell, Surveyor to the Fabric of Canterbury Cathedral

    (Note: 6:30 PM start at the University of Leicester

    The lecture will be followed by a reception

    Registation for this event will be through the University of Leicester. 

    Details to follow shortly

    Attending the lecture

    The lecture is open both to members of the Society and to guests.

    The lecture will be streamed on Zoom. A recording of the lecture may be available to members only.

    • 24 Mar 2025
    • 19:30 - 21:00
    • Hansom Hall in the Leicester Adult Education College, 50-54 Belvoir St, Leicester LE1 6QL
    • 100
     

    Geology Section Joint Lecture

    Dr Steve Etches MBE

    Registation for this event will open by August. 

    Details to follow shortly

    Attending the lecture

    The lecture is open both to members of the Society and to guests.

    The lecture will take places in Hansom Hall - how to find Hansom Hall.

    The lecture will also be streamed on Zoom. A recording of the lecture may be available to members only.

    • 7 Apr 2025
    • 19:30 - 21:00
    • Hansom Hall in the Leicester Adult Education College, 50-54 Belvoir St, Leicester LE1 6QL
    • 100
     

    The F.L. Attenborough Lecture

    Isabella Tree

    Writer and Conservationist


    Registation for this event will open by August. 

    Details to follow shortly

    Attending the lecture

    The lecture is open both to members of the Society and to guests.

    The lecture will take place in Hansom Hall - how to find Hansom Hall.

    The lecture will also be streamed on Zoom. A recording of the lecture may be available to members only.

    • 28 Apr 2025
    • 19:30 - 21:00
    • Hansom Hall in the Leicester Adult Education College, 50-54 Belvoir St, Leicester LE1 6QL
    • 100
     

    Leicester Museum and Art Gallery Joint Lecture

    Professor David Mattingly FBA MEA

    Professor of Roman Archaeology, University of Leicester

    Registation for this event will open by August. 

    Details to follow shortly

    Attending the lecture

    The lecture is open both to members of the Society and to guests.

    The lecture will take place in Hansom Hall - how to find Hansom Hall.

    The lecture will also be streamed on Zoom. A recording of the lecture may be available to members only.

Summaries of Lit&Phil lectures from previous years are available in the Transactions.

Listings of Lit&Phil events in the recent past are given below.

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