‘I Shall Commit My Thoughts to Paper’: The First Edition of Shelley’s Frankenstein
Alexander Turnbull Library Curatorial Summer Series 2018 — showcasing curators over 4 successive Wednesday evenings in February. The curators talk about their research, and highlight stories from the Alexander Turnbull Library collections.
- Date: Wednesday, 7 February, 2018
- Time:
5:30-6:30pm
- Cost:
Free. Booking is not required
- Location:
Programme Rooms, Te Ahumairangi (ground floor), National Library, corner Molesworth and Aitken Streets
Bicentennial of Frankenstein
2018 marks the bicentennial of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Shelley's novel about the devastating consequences stemming from the abuse of scientific knowledge became a bestseller in her lifetime and went on to become one of the most famous works in English literature. Frankenstein has been translated into over 100 languages and adapted for stage, screen and music.
The Alexander Turnbull Library is the only Australasian institution to hold a first edition of this remarkable work. Please join Anthony Tedeschi (Curator Rare Books & Fine Printing) as he discusses the appearance of the first edition in 1818 and traces the history of the Turnbull copy, its ownership and annotations, and how it came into the library’s possession.
About the speaker
Anthony has been with the Turnbull as Curator Rare Books & Fine Printing since 2015. He holds advanced degrees in English Literature and Library Science, with a specialisation in rare books librarianship, and has published on various aspects of book history. Most recently, he was awarded a Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowship to undertake research overseas into the book-collecting practices of Alexander Turnbull, whose bequest 100 years ago and continuing legacy are being celebrated this year.