Join Dr. Cheryl Butler for a fascinating talk on literary icon Jane Austen in anticipation of the Jane Austen 250 programme in 2025! This fundraising event for Hampshire History Trust will take place on Friday 19 July at The ARC, Winchester from 7:30 – 8:30pm.
The talk will focus on Austen’s first novel “Northanger Abbey” and its connections with Gothic tourism. Dr. Butler will reflect on the author’s love for gothic fiction and the public’s interest in medieval ruins such as Hampshire’s Netley Abbey where writers, poets, artists and tourists would visit in the hopes of seeing ghostly monks, and other apparitions.
As a contributing editor for the Southampton Record Series, Dr Butler’s twin passion for history and drama have driven her work as a playwright, novelist and lecturer. She’s a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and a keen supporter of several heritage organisations.
