The poet Letitia Elizabeth Landon (“L.E.L.”) was a celebrity in her lifetime, known as “the female Byron”, but she was brushed under the carpet by the Victorians after she was found dead in Africa in 1838, a bottle of Prussic acid in her hand. Lucasta Miller (author of The Brontë Myth) has spent the last six years untangling the so-called “mystery of L.E.L.” for a forthcoming book. In this talk, she explores the role of visual artists in disseminating the cult of Landon’s fame and asks what sort of evidence portraits can offer the biographer.

This event is free of charge and open to all, but you must register first, via www.oxforduniversitystores.co.uk (browse ‘Products’ for ‘Oxford Centre for Life-Writing’). A buffet sandwich lunch will be provided.