About the series

A seminar series sponsored by St John's College and the Faculty of English, University of Oxford

Samuel Beckett stands at the meeting point of innovative historical study and contemporary artistic endeavour. The biographies, notebooks, diaries, drafts and letters of his archive are driving forward empirical research in modern literary criticism, while his works are cited as sources for authors, artists, philosophers, composers, filmmakers and choreographers. This seminar explores Beckett's cultural position in both of these directions: by examining some of the recently uncovered influences that shaped his writing, and by refracting his image and his work through those who follow his example. In our tenth year, we continue to combine the latest scholarship with a consideration of Beckett’s ongoing cultural life, and remain open to all.