On 21 November, Richard Jenkyns, former Public Orator, and a direct descendant of Jane Austen’s brother, will be giving a talk at the Taylorian on the Austen family music books. This will afford a fascinating insight into multilingual private entertainment in the early 19th-century. The talk will be followed by drinks in the Voltaire Room where there will be an opportunity, of particular interest to modern linguists, to see a small exhibition of rare documents about Austen’s contemporary, Germaine de Staël, and her circle.

Please note: Attendees for the talk should enter the Taylor Institute via the South entrance. (The entrance under the main tower, on the corner of St Giles and Beaumont Street/next to the Ashmolean forecourt).