The International Byron Societies 2015–2016

Abstract

THE BYRON SOCIETY2015 was a year both of sadness and advance for the Society. The year began well with a talk by David McClay, Curator of the Murray Archive and the Byron Papers at the National Library of Scotland. His lecture was entitled 'Making a Public Display of Lord Byron. Geoffrey Bond gave the second, very popular, talk in February, entitled 'Writing about Byron'. In March Professor Richard Cardwell talked about 'She Walks in Beauty like the Night', bringing out fresh aspects of this much-loved poem.Peter Cochran was due to speak on 'Byron and Ali Pasha' at the AGM in May. In the event due to his sad death the lecture had to be read by Bernard Beatty, who also kindly edited the talk. The questions at the end of the talk included many tributes to Peter and his web-site. The good news is that Peter's daughters are continuing to update this justly renowned source. They also held a memorial at Clare College, Cambridge, which I and a number of other members were privileged to attend in October. Bernard Beatty contrived a successful performance of The Vision of Judgment for the conclusion of this event. Kenneth Robbie took the role of St. Michael.Christine Kenyon Jones, who had spoken movingly at Peter's memorial, gave the next lecture to the Society. She spoke entertainingly on 'Byron and Jane Austen'. They not only shared a publisher, but were even both in London at the same time, although moving in rather different circles!All these events took place in our regular meeting place, The Art Workers' Guild, 6, Queen Square, WC1N 3AT, but in September there was a walk, led by Guy Rowston, around 'Byron's London'. This successful event may well be repeated.The Society resumed its calendar of events at The Art Workers' Guild in October, with a talk by Jo Taylor on 'The Double Dungeon: Byron's Home and Country in 1815'. Jo had been working as Jonathon Shears's editorial assistant on The Byron Journal and her lecture explored Byron's inability to establish a 'home'. In November Dr. David Woodhouse gave a well-considered and researched lecture entitled 'Hazlitt's Liberal Influence on Byron: The Laureate passages of Don Juan re-examined.'The Christmas lunch took place on 14 December. It was a very cheerful event, and the Society is indebted to Katerina Jeffrey for making it possible for us to hold it at the East India Club. Julia Markus spoke entertainingly on her recently published book, 'Lady Byron and her Daughters'.In a new departure the Society is hoping to award a PhD bursary this September. The thesis will be based on some aspect of the life and works of Lord Byron. This is an exciting development in our on-going commitment to broaden the current appeal of the poet.THE IRISH BYRON SOCIETYThe Annual General Meeting took place in the United Arts Club on Wednesday 28 January, 2015. The committee agreed to a revised date so as not to clash with Burns' Night festivities in Kells, County Meath, the following Friday. Twenty-five members attended the AGM. Ms Eileen Morgan-Browne was elected Honorary Secretary to the society to replace Ms Lucy O'Kelly, who agreed to step down as secretary due to other commitments. The committee continued the society's policy of organising one function per month.The Maureen Charlton Memorial Lecture was held this year on Friday 27 February with a lecture by the Chairman of the society entitled 'Byron's Influence on Thomas Moore's Orientalism'. This was followed by a very entertaining and amusing presentation by author and journalist, Mr. Hugh Oram, on the Protestant Cemetery in Rome. Hugh concentrated on the many literary greats buried there and the importance and veneration of the adjacent cat colony which lives in perfect harmony with the residents of the cemetery. Wine and canapes were on offer to all present following the lectures.This year's Spring Lunch was held in the United Arts Club on Saturday 28 March 2015. It was well attended and included guests from Kells, County Meath. …