Speaker, library exhibit discussing 200 years of literature

Publication Date

Juliette Wells, associate professor of English at Goucher College, will give a talk in the Nott Memorial at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8 titled “Pride and Prejudice in America.”

Her visit is in conjunction with the opening of Schaffer Library’s latest exhibit, “Literature in English, 1713-1913.” The exhibit, which is being held in part to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen’s novel, will open at 5 p.m. with a reception in the library.

The exhibit features rare editions from the Schaffer Library collections of two centuries of literary works from England, Scotland, Ireland and the United States, including Union’s first editions of “Pride and Prejudice” and Walt Whitman’s “Leaves of Grass.”

Wells’ lecture will draw extensively on items from Goucher College's world-renowned Alberta H. and Henry G. Burke Jane Austen collection to sketch an American reception history of Austen's novel. Wells is the author of numerous works on Austen and other English novelists, including “Everybody's Jane: Austen in the Popular Imagination.” She is the daughter of William C. Wells ’64 and the granddaughter of the late Frederick Klemm, professor emeritus of German and the inaugurator of College’s International Programs.

The events on Oct. 8 are being co-sponsored by Schaffer Library and the Union College English Department. They are open to the public.