Event Start Date: 11 May 2025

This event has been postponed until the Autumn

We are delighted to welcome Jane Robinson (English, 1978) to talk about her most recent book, Trailblazer, a life of Barbara Leigh Smith Bodichon, the first feminist to change our world.

Professional artist Barbara Bodichon fought for equal opportunity in the workplace, the law, the polling booth, at home, and in the world beyond the kitchen or the drawing-room; she founded the first university college for women; the first women’s suffrage society; was fervently against slavery of all kinds, and a committed activist for human rights. Somervillian Jane Robinson’s acclaimed new biography celebrates a true pioneer, and is just coming out from Penguin in paperback.  

Booking for the talk and afternoon tea is now open. Please do join us in person at 2pm on Sunday 11th May, in the Margaret Thatcher Centre, for Jane’s talk. This event will also be hybrid, and you can book to join for the talk remotely; this option is free.

 

Further reading?

Vera Brittain’s Early Life: Foundations of a feminist wife, mother and grandmother

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Saturday 15th November 2025
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Vera Brittain’s Early Life: Foundations of a feminist wife, mother and grandmother

Jaipur Literature Festival – Special Oxford Session

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12 June 2025
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Jaipur Literature Festival – Special Oxford Session

A summer afternoon tea in Newcastle

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Sunday 20th July 2025
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A summer afternoon tea in Newcastle