Nottingham: Events in city to mark 200 years since Lord Byron's death

Lord Byron's influence is "everywhere in modern literature, film and culture", the university said

A programme of public events celebrating the life of poet Lord Byron will take place in Nottingham this summer to mark 200 years since his death.

Born George Gordon Noel, Byron was a famous romantic poet but also gained notoriety for his scandalous lifestyle.

The Byron 200 project will celebrate the anniversary with a focus on Byron's connections to Nottingham.

Numerous talks and workshops will take place over the coming months.

The project is being launched by the University of Nottingham in partnership with Nottingham Central Library and Newstead Abbey.

Many of the talks will be held at Nottingham Central Library

Academics from the university's faculty of arts will be delivering a series of free talks and workshops until August.

Lynda Pratt, a professor of modern literature at the university, said: "Byron's connections to and experiences in Nottingham and its environs shaped his life, writings and reputation.

"This exciting and wide-ranging collaboration between city-wide partners and researchers from the faculty of arts explores Byron's many achievements, celebrates his lasting impact, and brings him back home to Nottingham."

Byron died in Missolonghi, Greece, in April 1824 fighting for Greek independence, before his body was returned to the UK and interred in Hucknall, Nottingham in July 1824.

'Influence'

Among the events planned is a Byron and Vampires talk at Nottingham Central Library on 17 June, which will explore his influence on the image of vampires.

At the same venue, a creating writing workshop will take place on 19 June, while an immersive installation called Lying in State: Holographic Byron will be in place between 26 July and 5 August.

Dr Sam Hirst, a research fellow in the department of history who will lead one of the talks, said: "Not many people are familiar with Byron's wider work today, but his influence is everywhere in modern literature, film and culture.

"I'm excited to explore that through my talk, by diving into the world of the vampire and Byron's role in making it what it is today - a figure loved and loathed, feared and desired, in equal measure!"