Jane's Fame: How Jane Austen conquered the world September 18, 2009

Award-winning biographer and Oxford and Columbia University Professor Claire Harman traces the growth of Jane Austen’s fame, the changing status of her work and what it has stood for – or has been made to stand for in English culture – in a wide-ranging study aimed at the general reader. This fascinating work charts the posthumous spinning of the writer’s reputation and how the legacy has been fought over by her family and literary critics until finally being accepted into the canon of classic British literature then repackaged to form a powerful influence on contemporary phenomena such as chick-lit, romantic comedy, the heritage industry and film.

All events £22 including lunch, £10 to listen only

Lunch: Salmon, goat’s cheese and dill tart served with dressed leaves and new potatoes ; chocolate torte with cream; coffee

Vegetarian Option: spiced chickpea cakes with a tomato ragout(must be pre-ordered)