Drawing on a wealth of previously unpublished letters and journals, Amanda Foreman, author of  A World on Fire, gives a fresh account of the Civil War through the extraordinary stories of many of the thousands of Britons who went to America as soldiers, observers, nurses, adventurers, guerrillas and spies. Sponsored by the Eccles Centre for American Studies. Recorded in the Conference Centre on 11 April 2011.

Tales of Heroism, Tales of Terror

Professor Philip Bobbitt, distinguished academic and author, who has both served the White House in senior government positions and lived there, with his uncle President Lyndon Baines Johnson, reflected on  global security and on the special relationship between the US and the UK. Sponsored by the Eccles Centre for American Studies. Recorded in the Conference Centre on 29 March 2011.

16th Annual Douglas W. Bryant Lecture

Deborah Moggach chairs a discussion with authors Philip Hensher, Hilary Spurling and Michael Frayn, to celebrate the launch of The Writing Life: Authors Speak two-CD publication. The writers, all interviewed for the ongoing oral history project Authors' Lives, discuss their writing processes, offer insights into their own creative practices and reflect on being interviewed for Authors' Lives. Recorded in the Conference Centre on 28 March 2011.

The Writing Life

A packed auditorium joined poet Don Paterson, Ben Crystal, Jonathan Bate and Eric Rasmussen for an evening of appreciation and exploration of Shakespeare's Sonnets. Introduced by Roger Walshe. Accompanies the Evolving English exhibition. Recorded in the British Library Conference Centre on 2 February 2011.

Shakespeare's Sonnets

Simon Gikandi explores the effect that the spread of the English language through colonisation has had on the lives of African people. Accompanies the Evolving English exhibition. Recorded in the British Library Conference Centre on 28 February 2011.

The Other English: some African reflections

Curator Jonnie Robinson presents recordings that explore the ever-changing regional contrasts of the English Language. With discussion from a panel of experts. Accompanies the Evolving English exhibition. Recorded in the British Library Conference Centre on 23 February 2011.

Cuddywifters, cack-handers and coochies

David Crystal

What do Winston Churchill, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Charlton Heston and Melvyn Bragg have in common? They all said that no book has had greater influence on the English language than the King James Bible. Professor David Crystal asks 'is it true?' Introduced by Adrian Edwards. Accompanies the Evolving English exhibition. Recorded in the British Library Conference Centre on 22 February 2011.

David Crystal - Begat

The audience was invited to bring their favourite phrase, query or gripe for answers and discussion from our panel of language experts. With Victoria Coren and Peter Gilliver. Recorded in the British Library Conference Centre on 5 December 2010.

English Language Question Time

Can the world's pre-eminent language for communication, business, science and popular culture expect a more diverse and multilingual future? The panel is introduced by Roger Walshe. Accompanies the Evolving English exhibition. Recorded in the British Library Conference Centre on 6 December 2010.

English - the world's language?

A panel comprising C.P. Lee, Barry Cryer, Lucy Greeves, Tim Vine and Richard Wiseman discusses the mechanics of comedy at the British Library conference 'What's So Funny? The Languages of Laughter'. Accompanies the Evolving English exhibition. Recorded in the British Library Conference Centre on 18 January 2011.

How do jokes work?

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British Library Podcasts

Steven Pinker

Steven Pinker discusses the interplay of language and the mind and how psychological processes have shaped the English language. Introduced by Jonnie Robinson. Accompanies the Evolving English exhibition. Recorded in the British Library Conference Centre on 10 January 2011.

The 2010 series of Panizzi lectures, given by James Raven offers fresh perspectives on the early modern and 18th-century book trade in England. London dominated this industry, but relatively little has been known about the commercial environments in which books were published. Recorded live in the Conference Centre on 3 November 2010.

Versatility and the Gloomy Stores of History

Evolving English shows very clearly that there is no single story of the English language. David Crystal explores aspects of its evolution. Introduced by Roger Walshe. Accompanies the British Library's Evolving English exhibition. Recorded in the British Library Conference Centre on 29 November 2010.

David Crystal - Evolving English

Commentators have been arguing about the role of social class in determining life chances for many years. The concept of 'class' seems to have become increasingly complex, while at the same time we continue to see significant differentials in life chances within the UK. This event looked at where we are now in terms of class difference and social mobility in the UK. The debate was chaired by David Walker. The speakers were: Professor Fiona Devine, Professor John Hills and Lee Elliot Major. Recorded in the Conference Centre on 1 November 2010.

We're all middle class now, aren't we?

Ed Parsons, Geospatial Technologist for Google Maps and Steve Chilton from OpenStreetMap discuss recent developments. 
				
				From the Magnificent Maps events series, recorded live in the Conference Centre on 7 September 2010.

The New Mapping Revolution

Dr David Starkey and Peter Barber, Head of Map Collections at the British Library, discuss the importance of maps in medieval and early modern palaces,
				
				and how they combined art, science, and power to enhance their impact. From the Magnificent Maps events series, recorded live in the Conference Centre on 14 June 2010.

The Map in the Palace

Beowulf is the greatest Anglo-Saxon epic, a tale of warriors, monsters and dragons. 
				
				The poem has inspired films and musicals, graphic novels and computer games. 
				
				All this is owed to the unique manuscript, which was nearly destroyed by fire in the 18th century. Julian Harrison, Curator of Medieval Manuscripts, explains.

Beowulf

John Keats

Stephen Hebron discusses his new book, exploring what Keats's letters and poems reveal about him and his creative process. Interviewed by Ellie Russell. Published by British Library Publishing, £25.00.

John Keats: A Poet and his Manuscripts

Anne Boleyn

Alison Weir is one of Britain's best-loved and most-read historians. 
				
				Her works include The Six Wives of Henry VIII, Henry VIII: King and Court and Mary, Queen of Scots. 
				
				Her next book will be a detailed account of the dramatic and controversial imprisonment and execution of Anne Boleyn. In this intriguing talk, she makes a compelling case that Anne went to her death an innocent, wronged woman.

The Lady in the Tower: The fall of Anne Boleyn

David Starkey

Henry VIII

In the third and final lecture of this enthralling series David Starkey examines the paradox of Henry's life. For the divorce from Katherine of Aragon and break from Rome, 
				
				which wrecked his character, also laid the foundations for the great achievements of his reign. Recorded on 30 June 2009.

David Starkey on Henry VIII: The Achievement 1533-47

Geoff Dyer

John Berger

Geoff Dyer - novelist, writer, and author of Ways of Telling: the Work of John Berger - talks to Head of Modern Literary Manuscripts Jamie Andrews, on the eve of Berger's donation of his archive to the Library.

Geoff Dyer on John Berger

In this lively, compelling and opinionated lecture - the second of three - Dr Starkey looks at the change in Henry: from the ideal prince at the time of his accession, 
				
				with his high ideals of virtue, glory and immortality, to the tyrant of his maturity.
				
				It blames the crisis of his divorce, which split his family and destroyed his closest friendships. Recorded on 2 June 2009.

David Starkey on Henry VIII: The Change 1509-33

This book of psalms was Henry's personal copy, used for private devotion. The rich illustrations show how he wanted to be seen as a modern-day King David, a pious harpist slaying the Goliath of the papacy. His marginal notes on the other hand reveal his innermost thoughts. James Carley of York University, Toronto, talks to Rob Ainsley about this beautiful and intriguing little book.

Henry VIII's Psalter

In this lively, compelling and opinionated lecture - the first of three - Dr Starkey examines Henry VIII's upbringing as a second son, his education and induction into chivalry, the dominant figures of his childhood and youth, the tensions with his father, and his accession.

David Starkey: The Young Henry VIII

Brett Dolman of Historic Royal Palaces describes it as 'half international summit, half It's A Knockout' in this fascinating and lively talk, recorded at Hampton Court Palace. The extraordinary campsite carnival of 1520 spawned tales of excess and hedonism to beat any modern-day rock festival while Henry and Francis, rival young kings of England and France, were sizing each other up.

Henry VIII and the Field of Cloth of Gold

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