The Alleviating Art: Lady Mary Montagu and Smallpox Inoculation
Please note that Saturday's performance will be filmed.
Friday 14 March 17:30 / Saturday 15 March 10:30

This one-act, one-actor play will be performed in our atmospheric Lower Gallery. It draws from the letters of Lady Mary Montagu, a pioneering advocate who revolutionised public health in England in the 18th century.

Her letters recount her time in Constantinople, where she witnessed the practice of inoculation—an early method to protect against smallpox, which was ravaging England at the time.

The Alleviating Art explores Lady Mary’s decision to bring this practice to England and campaign for its adoption. Facing fierce opposition, Lady Mary inoculated her young daughter—the first recipient of smallpox inoculation on English soil — to prove the safety of the technique.

Our panel discussion following the play will explore the inspiration behind the play and the relevance Lady Mary’s story holds today. The panellists are:

Silke Ackermann (Director of the History of Science Museum)
Professor Sir Andrew Pollard (Director of the Oxford Vaccine Group)
Robert Myers (playwright)
Catherine Cusack (actor).

This event will feature a one-act performance, an audience Q&A, and a drinks reception.
Date: 14 March 2025, 17:30
Venue: History of Science Museum, Broad Street OX1 3AZ
Venue Details: Lower Gallery
Speakers: Silke Ackermann (MHS), Professor Sir Andrew Pollard (Oxford Vaccine Group), Robert Myers (Playwright), Catherine Cusack (Actor)
Organising department: History of Science Museum
Part of: History of Science Museum Events
Booking required?: Required
Booking url: https://tickets.ox.ac.uk/webstore/shop/viewItems.aspx?CG=hsmevents&C=hsmevents
Cost: £15 (£12.50 for University staff and students)
Audience: Public
Editor: Belinda Clark