Past Events
Kirsten Macfarlane – “American Hebraism, 1640-1800”, 01/23, 3pm
We invite you to join us Friday, January 23 from 3:00 – 5:00 pm at the Newberry Library for the British Studies Seminar with Professor Kristen Macfarlane. You can see more information and register to receive the paper here. The seminar is co-sponsored by the Graduate...
British Etching Revival: exhibition at the Milwaukee Art Museum, 12/19-5/31
From the Scalpel to the Needle: Seymour Haden and the British Etching Revival Seymour Haden (English, 1818–1910) was an unlikely leader of an artistic revival. He made etchings as a pastime, a diversion from his responsibilities as a surgeon. Yet, Haden was...
British Studies at the 139th Annual Meeting of the American Historical Association, 1/8-11
The nation’s largest gathering of historians is happening in Chicago! Join us and thousands of your colleagues at the 139th annual meeting of the AHA from January 8–11, 2026. Together, we’ll hone our professional skills, learn about the latest historical scholarship,...
Kim-Park Program for the Study of the Book: Winter Quarter Events
The Kim-Park Program for the Study of the Book brings together scholars, students, and all who are interested in the history of the book and the materiality of information. Please see below the schedule of the events for the winter quarter, including the presentation...
Securing the Future of Critical Race Studies, 12/12, 12pm
Securing the Future of Critical Race Studies This two-pronged conversation will explore the role of mentorship and research agendas in Premodern Critical Race Studies, as a way to consider what the field can do to ensure its continued vitality. About the...
Johana Staza Godfrey – “‘Fraudulent Unearthing’: Working-class Antiquaries in Bleak House and Our Mutual Friend,” 12/12, 3pm
We invite you to join us next Friday, December 12 from 3:00 – 5:00 pm at the Newberry Library for the British Studies Seminar with Professor Johana Staza Godfrey, presenting a paper titled “'Fraudulent Unearthing': Working-class Antiquaries in Bleak House and Our...
Leah Whittington – “Writing in the Blanks,” 12/4, 5pm
Please join the Renaissance Workshop THURSDAY, December 4th, when Leah Whittington Professor of English and Comparative Literature, Harvard University will give a talk entitled “Writing in the Blanks," followed by a Q&A and discussion. THURSDAY, December 4th...
Jim Livesey – “Indigenous Political Economy? Ireland, Economic Institutions & the Atlantic Economy 1600-1799,” 11/21, 3pm
We invite you to join us next Friday, November 21 from 3:00 - 5:00 pm at the Newberry Library for the British Studies Seminar with Professor Jim Livesey, presenting a paper titled "Indigenous Political Economy? Ireland, Economic Institutions and the Atlantic Economy...
“History and Its Discontents: Twenty-Five Years of Provincializing Europe,” 11/13-14, 2025
History and Its Discontents: Twenty-Five Years of Provincializing Europe November 13-14, 2025 John Hope Franklin Room (SSRB 224), The University of Chicago Since its publication in 2000, Provincializing Europe was promptly recognized as one of the more significant...
Chicago British Studies Symposium
On January 24-25, 2025, the Nicholson Center for British Studies hosted our inaugural Chicago British Studies Symposium. The aim of the symposium was to build intellectual community across campus and stimulate conversations on new directions in the field . The two-day event featured flash talks from professors, PhD candidates, and recent Nicholson Graduate Fellows representing nine departments and five divisions and schools.
Distinguished Guest Speaker: Dr. Julia Alexander
In March 2025, the Nicholson Center for British Studies, in partnership with the Smart Museum, welcomed Kress Foundation President Dr. Julia Alexander to campus. On March 4th, Dr. Alexander gave a lecture titled “The Museum as Cenotaph or Time-Machine? Thoughts on Art, History, and Institutions in Our Nearsighted Moment” followed by a reception in the Robert Earl Paige bedecked lobby.