Archives, history and memory in memoir writing – a talk by Marina Warner

Writer and academic Dame Professor Marina Warner will discuss drawing on archives and the interweaving of history and memoir-writing. In her memoir ‘Inventory of a Life Mislaid’, Warner uses memory and imagination as well as writing and objects to recreate the extraordinary world of her childhood. [Cover design by Sophie Herxheimer.]

She has recently presented some of her family papers to the University book and publishing collections, relating to her father’s work in establishing a branch of WH Smith’s in Cairo after the second World War. A selection of artefacts from the WH Smith archives held by the University of Reading will be on display.

This event is run in partnership with the Museum of English Rural Life (MERL).

Dame Professor Marina Warner CH, DBE, FRSL, FBA is a writer and academic. Her works include novels, short stories and studies of art, myths, symbols and fairy tales. She is a Professor of English and Creative Writing at Birkbeck, University of London.

This will be an in person/online hybrid event with live streaming via Zoom to remote individuals who have pre-registered to attend. The video files of the talk will be published online after the event.

A selection of artefacts from the WH Smith archives held by the University of Reading will be on display and attendees will have the chance to view this from 5.30pm with refreshments available. The talk will start at 6.00pm.

To book tickets to attend the event in person at the Museum of English Rural Life please click here

To book tickets for the online event (which covers the talk only) please click here

The event will finish at 7.00pm.