Free public lecture exploring the relationship between friendship and literature

Press release issued: 28 June 2010

Friendship is one of the most important human relationships. Literature can be one of our most important friends. A public lecture, hosted by the University’s Department of English next month [6 July], aims to explore critically productive ways of talking about the nature of friendship and its role in the creation and enjoyment of literary texts.

Friendship is one of the most important human relationships. Literature can be one of our most important friends. A public lecture, hosted by the University’s Department of English next month [6 July], aims to explore productive ways of talking about the nature of friendship and its role in the creation and enjoyment of literary texts.

The free event brings together Professor Christopher Ricks, one of the most distinguished critics of our age and author of True Friendship, and Mark Vernon, founder member of The School of Life and author of The Meaning of Friendship, to talk about the ways in which literature has shaped their understanding of friendship.

Dr John Lee, Senior Lecturer in English, said: “The event is the final part of The Humane Reader day, a one-day conference examining the ways in which literature and friendship have influenced one another, from the time of Shakespeare to the present day.

“The lecture has been made a 'Bristol Festival of Ideas Recommends' choice, and we look forward to welcoming everyone to the event.”

The ‘Friendship and Literature’ public lecture, organised by the University’s Department of English, School of Humanities, takes place at 6 pm in the University’s Tyndall Lecture Theatre, Physics Building, Tyndall Avenue, University of Bristol.

Admission is free but the event requires advance booking, tel 0117 928 8515 or visit the event's website. The event is supported by the Bristol Institute for Research in the Humanities and Arts [BIRTHA] and the Public and Ceremonial Events Office.

Further information

About Professor Christopher Ricks

One of the most distinguished critics of his generation. He is William M. and Sara B. Warren Professor of the Humanities and Co-Director of the Editorial Institute, Boston University, a recipient of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation's Distinguished Achievement Award for significant contributions to the humanities, and was Professor of Poetry at the University of Oxford (2004-2009).

About Mark Vernon

Writer, broadcaster and journalist, his work appears regularly in The Guardian, TLS, Evening Standard and on the BBC. His studies began with a degree in physics, followed by two degrees in theology, and a PhD in philosophy. He is an honorary Research Fellow at Birkbeck College, University of London, and a founding member of The School of Life.

Please contact Dr John Lee for further information.