Talks & Speaking Engagements

This illustrated talk, presented by Cindy Sughrue, Director of the Charles Dickens Museum, and Lucinda Hawksley, art historian, biographer, award-winning travel writer, and great-great-great granddaughter of Charles Dickens, explores Dickens’s lifelong fascination with the neighbourhood of St-Giles-in-the-Fields. It influenced and inspired his work as a writer, journalist and social reform campaigner, from his childhood recollections through to the final years of his life.

Lucinda Hawksley, great great great daughter of Charles Dickens, reveals how Charles Dicken’s journeys influenced his writing and enriched his life. Although Dickens is usually perceived as a London author, in the 18402 he whisked his family away to live in Itay for a year, and spent several months in Switzerland. Some years later he took up residence in Paris and Boulogne where he lived in secret with his lover). In addition to travelling widely in Europe, he also toured America twice, performed onstage in Canada and, before his untimely death, was planning a tour of Australia. Besides far-flung places Dickens also travelled the British Isles including the Isle of Wight.

On 22 July Lucinda will be doing a one-day workshop on ‘Wilkie Collins and his Circle’ at the Gerrards Cross Summer School.

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…”

So began one of Dickens’s most famous novels, ‘A Tale of Two Cities.’ It is a story which has stood the test of time, having been consistently ranked as one of the greatest novels of all time. From the contrasting landscapes of London and Paris to the profound questions of justice and sacrifice, it was a story in which Dickens poured his sharp wit, his political frustration, as well as his vivid descriptive power.

Join Lucinda Dickens Hawksley, historian, author and 3x great granddaughter of Charles Dickens for an afternoon of immersion into this remarkable tale. Lucinda will read extracts from the tale as she leads a discussion into the wider themes of the story. How did Dickens’s travels around Europe come to shape the novel? What does the book say about Dickens’s own political hopes and fears? And how was Dickens’s private life influencing the tale?

You’ll have the opportunity to engage with the text on a deeper level, as we delve into the rich tapestry of characters, themes and historical context. Whether you are a long-time admirer of Dickens, or discovering his work for the first time, this event promises to be an enlightening and engaging experience.

Mark your calendars and prepare to step back into the tumultuous era of the French Revolution, guided by Lucinda Hawksley’s expertise and passion for her illustrious ancestor’s work.

Grab a cuppa and get to know actress, director and writer, Anni Domingo. Anni will be in conversation with author, Lucinda Hawksley, to discuss her work and career and offer a glimpse into her creative routine.

Programme

• Welcome, introductions and housekeeping from Lucinda Hawksley (2 mins)
• Introduction to Anni Domingo and a glimpse into her routine (15-25 mins)
• Q&A with audience (10-15 mins)
• Summary and closing comments (3 mins)
• This event will be moderated by Sophia A Jackson – Head of Events, SoA

In July and August, Lucinda will be guest lecturing on Explora I cruise ship. Her talk subjects will include the 18th-century travel writer Lady Mary Wortley Montague, Lord Byron’s travels in Europe, and Charles Dickens’s year in Italy. 

Fellow panelists: Professor Louise Howard, Professor Lillian Nayder.

Lucinda’s talk came from her research for two of her books, her biography of Kate Perugini (née Katey Dickens) and March, Women, March: Voices from the Women’s Movement.

Special thanks to hosts Dr Ta-Wei Guu and Dr Cindy Sughrue (Director of the Charles Dickens Museum).

Speaker at a unique literary festival held in characterful venues in the picturesque Chiltern villages of Chalfont St. Giles and Jordans.

Constantine Literary Pod welcomes …

In 1844, Charles Dickens took his wife and young family to Italy for a year. Author, historian and broadcaster Lucinda Hawksley will speak about their year in which Dickens recovered from depression, wrote his second Christmas novella and travelled the country researching his travelogue Pictures from Italy. Dickens great, great, great granddaughter will speak about the family’s extraordinary year which also helped inspire her own book Dickens and Travel.

Wine, cheese and biscuits, available from 18:30.

Venue Opens: 18:00
Event Starts: 19:30

Tickets £7