Welcome to the website for Land Lines, a research project exploring British nature writing from the late eighteenth century to the present. The project is a collaboration between researchers from the Universities of Leeds, Sussex and St Andrews, and will involve various public events, including a museum exhibition, public talks, schools and a family fun day. This website will act as an information hub for activities relating to the project. Landlines is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council.
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Land Lines will involve a number of public and scholarly events from 2017-19. Check this page for upcoming activities.
This special exhibition explores the relationship between British birds and storytelling through the ages. Combining books and specimens, it shows how ornithologists have turned their observations of birds into stories and how birds have sparked our imaginations over time through myths, folk tales and creative writing.
The display is accompanied by a series of public talks. Click the links below to book your free tickets:
In this double-event, Will Abberley (University of Sussex) will explore Victorian writing about birds while Nicholas Royle reads from his new novel An English Guide to Birdwatching.
Mark Cocker, author of Crow Country and Birds Britannica, will talk about the use of birds as symbols and mythical figures through history.
David Higgins (University of Leeds) will explore how writers in the Romantic period found inspiration in birds.
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The researchers behind Land Lines are
Professor Graham Huggan (University of Leeds).
Dr David Higgins (University of Leeds).
Dr Will Abberley (University of Sussex).
Dr Christina Alt (University of St Andrews).
The project web site is maintained by Will Abberley. To contact him, please use the form below.
