Dickens Day
Dickens Day was established in 1986 by the eminent Birkbeck Dickensian Professor Michael Slater to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the publication of Dickens' first novel, The Pickwick Papers, in 1836. Birkbeck contained no less than four renowned Dickensian scholars at that time - Barbara Hardy, Steve Connor, Andrew Sanders and Michael Slater - all of whom still contribute to the Day. The Day was organised for a number of years by the late Professor Sally Ledger.
The enduring format of the Day - scholars and enthusiasts speaking to a general and academic audience, along with readings - was established from the outset and, following the first Day’s success, an Oliver Twist day followed in 1987.
All of Dickens’s novels have been the subject of a Dickens Day and, when 'The Mystery of Edwin Drood' was reached in 2008, a decision was made by the organisers and regular participants to switch to a thematic day. Since then, topics considered include Dickens and Science, Dickens and Popular Culture, Dickens and History, and Dickens and Conviviality.
Dickens Day continues to feature top-quality work from some of the world’s leading Dickensian scholars, while also offering a platform and a forum for new and independent scholars and enthusiasts.
Past events
2019
- Dickens and Bodies
2018
- Dickens, Families and Communities
2107
- Dickens and Fantasy
2016
- Heritage, Celebrations and Anniversaries
2015
- Dickens, Readers and Reading
2014
- Dickens and Conviviality
2013
- Dickens and History
2012
- Dickens and Popular Culture
2011
- Republics of the Imagination: Dickens and Travel