News & Events

The radical ethos of the Beat movement is deeply rooted in the specific historical situation in which it emerged: the binary-coded world of the Cold War. Although the Cold War ended 35 years ago, today's social divisions follow similarly polarized fault lines, where issues of free speech feel ever-present; discussions of sexuality, critiques of war, and advocacy of human rights seem under threat in ways that mirror past dangers. This invites us to revisit and discuss the unbroken topicality of the radical aesthetico-political approaches of Beat culture in the light of current events.

Monday 5 August, 12.30 – 13.30, British Library Knowledge Centre. Free; drop-in. Two British Library colleagues share their research into the political pamphlets of King George III and the archives of HM Bark Endeavour. The Summer Scholars season of free in-person lunchtime talks explores the exciting and wide-ranging research into the Americas and Oceania collections at the British Library by Eccles Institute Fellows and Award winners and British Library members of staff.

Thursday 1 August, 12.30 – 13.30, Foyle Room at the British Library. Free. Drop-in (no need to book). An Eccles Institute Visiting Fellow explores James Baldwin’s enigmatic Little Man, Little Man: A Story of Childhood.

Friday 26 July, 12.30 – 13.30, British Library Knowledge Centre. Free. Two Eccles Fellows explore the life of scholar, missionary and abolitionist Augustus Hanson and the wide-ranging influences that shaped the representation of Andean music in the UK. The Summer Scholars season of free in-person lunchtime talks explores the exciting and wide-ranging research into the Americas and Oceania collections at the British Library by Eccles Institute Fellows and Award winners and British Library members of staff.

Mon 22 July, 12:30 - 13:30 Knowledge Centre, British Library: A US book artist shares her work as part of the Eccles Institute’s Summer Scholars programme. The British Library has an outstanding collection of artist’s books and works published by American fine presses. This talk offers a unique insight into the creative process behind Sandstone Steps, a transatlantic collaboration between artists Maddy Rosenberg and Hugh Bryden.

This book discusses five generations of the Taft family, America's longest-lived but under-appreciated political dynasty. It shows the Tafts to be far-sighted, fair-minded and surprisingly astute when considering modern concerns. President William Howard Taft was an opponent of plutocracy who supported the Income Tax Amendment and the first corporate income tax, while opposing the privileges of philanthropic foundations. His son Robert Taft was the key Republican Senator in repealing provisions of the Neutrality Act, making possible sales of arms sustaining Britain from 1939 to 1941.