In January 1938, J.R.R. Tolkien gave a Christmas lecture for local children about ‘Dragons and Dinosaurs’. His talk was illustrated with a magic lantern show of slides from the Museum’s collection as well as some of his own hand-painted illustrations. Recent research by long-time BSLS members, John Holmes, Professor of Victorian Literature and Culture at the University of Birmingham, and Dr Will Tattersdill, identified the slides linked to his lecture and it was rerun in its original form for the first time in 2022.
Due to the huge success and popularity of last year’s rerun, OUMNH is opening the doors of its lecture theatre once again. The lecture and slideshow will be followed by a discussion and audience Q&A with Professor Holmes and Professor Richard Ovenden (author and Director of the Bodleian Library). You will also have a chance to buy copies of some of Tolkien’s less well-known works as well as the opportunity to view some of the Museum’s specimens and rare books relating to both dragons and dinosaurs.
Entry to this event is free, but booking is required.
