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| Courtesy of the Lewis Walpole Library. |
National
identity is a central point of enquiry that is repeatedly called upon
in contemporary social and political rhetoric. Our conference
will address the roots of this theme by discussing depictions of
Britain and Britishness in literature, philosophy, history, and art
between the Act of Union in 1707 and the death of Queen Victoria in
1901. Over the course of this multidisciplinary conference, we aim to
explore how expressions of nationalism have moulded both critical
perspectives on national identity and their creative products.
In
addition to our key speakers — Prof. Colin Kidd (Queen’s University
Belfast), Dr Emma Major (University of York), Prof. Linda Colley
(Princeton University), and Prof. Calum Colvin (University of Dundee) — we have
attracted 65 speakers from around the world who will deliver papers discussing
Britishness. The conference is also accompanied by an exhibition of
artwork which is currently on display in the reception of Art History.
We
have attracted significant funding from the following sources: the Paul MellonCentre for Studies in British Art, the Russell Trust, The University of the Highlands
and the Islands, Capod, the Schools of Art History, History, English, and
Modern Languages, the Scottish Society for Art History, the Society for French
Studies, and the Royal Historical Society.
