Location
Foyle Suite, British Library
2024 represents the 300th anniversary of the death of the prominent Augustan politician, Robert Harley, earl of Oxford (1661-1724), the penultimate holder of the office of lord high treasurer. As one of the key figures in British politics from the 1690s until his death in 1724, Harley has attracted considerable scholarly, as well as popular, interest.
There have been several biographies and articles, and he also played a significant role in the 2018 film, The Favourite (portrayed by Nicholas Hoult). As well as a politician, though, Harley was also an avid collector and a man with links to some of the key literary figures of the day.
The workshop will bring together scholars from a range of disciplines to reappraise Harley’s career and legacy. It is organized by Robin Eagles (History of Parliament), author of Harley’s life in The History of Parliament: the Lords 1660-1715, and Alex Lock, Curator of Modern Archives and Manuscripts at the British Library, and is supported by the British Library and History of Parliament Trust.
Booking for this event is available here.
Image: Wiki Commons