A Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That

Ever wondered about the true scope of what we do here at the Library?

During this weekend we bring you a typical slice of discussion at Gladstone's Library. A wonderful compendium of thoughts starting with acclaimed writer and historian, Peter Moore. Peter's talk Endeavours, Enlightenment, Exploration will chronicle his current research into James Cook's notorious ship, Endeavour, which he commanded from 1769 to 1771 on his first voyage of discovery to Australia and New Zealand. Peter will also explore the age of enlightenment and its ideals.

Then, John McEllhenney and Susan Fogarty explore the doubting-belief of the great Welsh poet R.S. Thomas, an Anglican vicar who wrestled ceaselessly with problems of faith and doubt in his poetry.

It's not too much of a leap from R.S. Thomas to Peter Francis' talk about Honest Faith - claiming that no supernatural beliefs are true and presenting Christianity as a rational philosophy of life. For him and many others, Christianity is a form of utopian religious humanism.

There is a significant Victorian slant to the weekend as well with Chair of Gladstone's Library Michael Wheeler presenting Florence Nightingale as a great reformer, the founder of modern nursing and a noted liberal Christian.

Louisa Yates talks reading, journeying through Gladstone's Literary Life by imagining his typical week. She addresses how such a busy man could possibly have read the 22,000 books he noted in his diaries.

The weekend concludes with a discussion about 'liberal values' in which Michael Wheeler and Peter Francis ask whether the word 'liberal' still has any meaning in the contemporary world.

A fascinating weekend!

Residential prices start from £202, non-residential from £150. Discount rates for clergy and students apply.

Click here to view the full programme. For more information or to book, please call 01244 532350 or email [email protected].