DR JOHNSON'S READING CIRCLE 2022-23
Monthly meetings, 6.30 - 7.45pm (doors open at 6.15pm)
Dr Johnson’s House cordially invites you to join Dr Johnson’s Reading Circle for its eigth year. It is an intimate after-hours reading group that meets regularly in the former home of Dr Samuel Johnson, led by the Donald Hyde Curator, Celine Luppo McDaid, who specialises in the eighteenth century.
The Reading Circle has met for eight years in the unique surroundings of 17 Gough Square to read and discuss fiction and non-fiction from, and about, the time in which Johnson lived. We aim to encourage a convivial atmosphere and lively conversation on the themes of pre-selected texts. Provisionally, all meetings other than outings will take place at Dr Johnson's House, except the Zoom playreadings. Dr Jane Darcy will lead the online meetings.
The first meeting will take place on For each meeting, a book will be chosen from a wide range of fiction and non-fiction, both eighteenth-century and modern.
October 25: The Lair's Dictionary - Eley Williams. The author will be joining us in person to discuss her work with the group.
Dec 6th: Selected Essays by Samuel Johnson - David Womersley ed.
Winter play reading 2023: to take place online via ZOOM: The Rivals - Richard Brinsley Sheridan on Jan 24th and Jan 31st
Mar 7th: The Georgians: The Deeds and Misdeeds of the Eighteenth-century Britain - Prof. Penelope Corfield. The author will be joining us in person to discuss her work with the group.
April 11th: The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman – Laurence Sterne
May 16th: Fields of Fire: A Life of Sir William Hamilton - David Constantine
June 20th: Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire - Amanda Foreman
£60 for an annual subscription which covers all meetings. OR £12 per session at the House (includes a complimentary glass of wine). £8 per play reading zoom session. Please pay on the door.