Anglia Ruskin Reader's expertise sought by German Historical Institute

Clarissa Campbell Orr, Reader in Enlightenment, Gender and Court Studies, chaired one of the sessions at a 3-day Conference for the German Historical Institute, London, in October 2012. The session that she led discussed the subject of the Personal Union between Britain and Hanover 1714-1837. This marks the time when Kings of Britain (George I, George II, George III, and William IV) were also Electors and (after 1815) Kings of Hanover.

The conference was held in 2012 to allow time for the proceedings to be published in 2014. Clarissa has previously published essays on aspects of the Hanoverian Union, in particular 'Dynastic perspectives' in The Hanoverian Dimension to British History 1714-1837, ed. Torsten Riotte and Brendan Simms, Cambridge 2007.

On 16 October Clarissa also gave a lecture for the Adult Learners Education Programme at Kew on the subject 'Queen Charlotte: Bluestocking Queen'. The lecture showed how the queen, consort to George III, was discouraged from meddling in politics, so cultivated common interests with the 'Bluestocking' circles of ladies (and some gentlemen) who took an interest in cultural matters, philanthropy and religion instead.

The lecture was held in the dining room of the Dutch Palace, Kew Gardens, which was the country residence of the king and queen, a venue with lot of atmosphere. Clarissa has written several essays on the Bluestockings and is working on a study of Queen Charlotte.

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