Βι¶ΉΣ³» Centre for Modernist Studies marks Henry James centenary with Lamb House conference
By: Patrick Reed
Last updated: Wednesday, 19 October 2016
Held at Lamb House in Rye, James’s home during the last 18 years of his life, the conference programme included scholars from the US, Paris, Βι¶ΉΣ³», Cambridge, UCL and Leeds and focused on James’s time at Lamb House and its effects on his late style.
The event, in association with the National Trust and the Βι¶ΉΣ³» Centre for Modernist Studies, began with an introduction from Dr Pam Thurschwell of the Βι¶ΉΣ³» and Claire Reed, Curator at the National Trust.
After listening to papers on the author, attendees had had the opportunity to take a tour of Lamb House, including some of James’s books and possessions.
The day also included a reading of a short story inspired by James’s notebooks by critically acclaimed novelist and author of Henry James and the Imagination of Pleasure, Tessa Hadley, and concluded with a ‘speed dating’ style discussion on the writer’s later works.
James, renowned writer of such classic novels as The Portrait of a Lady and The Turn of the Screw, first became aware of Lamb House in a painting by his friend, and was instantly enamoured.
Moving in in 1897, the refuge from the hustle and bustle of London life that Lamb House gave him inspired a new wave of creativity in James’s writing.
The event is the latest in a number of events this year organised by the Βι¶ΉΣ³» Centre for Modernist Studies, under the theme of ‘Βι¶ΉΣ³» Modernism.’
Previous events include lectures at the Towner Gallery Eastbourne and at Bexhill De La Warr Pavilion in May, and a one-day conference on the Bloomsbury Group at Charleston House.