2019 Johnson Society Seminar

The Annual Seminar is one of the highlights of our year, and this year’s will be no exception. For 2019 we are focusing on three individuals, one woman and two men, each of whom had connections with Johnson.

Dr Paul Tankard, Senior Lecturer in English at Otago University, New Zealand will be looking at G K Chesterton the writer, philosopher and author of the Father Brown stories. He was both influenced by Johnson and was himself something of a Johnsonian character.

Professor Tim Entwisle, Director and CEO of the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria will be looking at Sir Joseph Banks, a contemporary and a member of one of Johnson’s Clubs. Johnson had a great interest in the new worlds being ‘discovered’ at that time.

Ian Keese, educator and historian will be focusing on Hannah More. Although largely ignored by Boswell in his Life of Johnson, from when she entered London literary society at the age of 30 as a dramatist, poet and “Bluestocking’ she was a favourite of Johnson, who at this time was more than twice her age. She was also very close to the playwright David Garrick and his wife Eva.

As well, Barrie Sheppard, a former University Lecturer, will be reading and discussing an essay by Johnson in ‘The Rambler’ on Chance, and John Byrne will be showing some items from his renowned collection of Johnsonia

Date and Time: Saturday 20 July 2019

11:00 am to 4:00 pm   Registration from 10:30

Venue: Kathleen Syme Library and Community Centre

251 Faraday Street Carlton (5 minutes from University of Melbourne Tram Terminus)

$30 Members  $35 Guests (Includes light lunch, tea and coffee)

Booking essential for catering: donna46@live.com.au

but payment made on day itself