The Beddoes Society
Thomas Lovell Beddoes (1803 – 1849), poet and dramatist.
Born in Clifton, Somerset, the son of Dr Thomas Beddoes, a friend of Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Published during his lifetime: The Improvisatore, and
The Bride’s Tragedy.
More details on their website
at http://www.phantomwooer.org/
The Adrian Bell Society
Adrian Bell (1901 – 1980), journalist-farmer. The
son of a newspaper editor, born in London and later moved to Suffolk. Publications
include Corduroy, Silver Ley, The Cherry Tree, The Countryman’s Notebook. One of the finest writers on
country matters. Wrote 24 books, innumerable articles in the local press (for 30 years), and compiled The Times Crossword
(over 4,500) for 50 years.
The aim of the Society is to
encourage an interest in Adrian Bell's life and work. It produces two journals and holds two meetings each year.
There are also various outings. More details from J Ford, Adrian Bell Society, Apple Acre, Church Lane, Claxton, Norwich,
NR14 7HY or telephone 01508 480665
The Hilaire Belloc Society
Joseph Hilaire Pierre Rene Belloc (1870 – 1953), writer of light verse, essays, travel books, history,
biography, and fiction. Works include The Bad Child’s Book of Beasts.
More details from the Hilaire
Belloc Society, 1 Hillview, Elsted, Midhurst GU29 OJX.
The Arnold Bennett Society
Arnold Bennett, journalist and writer of fiction. Best known
for the Clayhanger trilogy, and The Old Wives’ Tale.
The present Society was reformed
in 1954 and has members throughout the UK and overseas. It is based in the city
of Stoke on Trent, the ‘five towns’ of Bennett. Their aim is to promote
the study and appreciation of the life, works and times, not only of Arnold Bennett himself, but also of other provincial
writers, with particular relationship to North Staffordshire.
More details on the Society from
http://www.arnoldbennettsociety.org.uk/
The E F Benson Society
E F Benson (1867 - 1940), prolific writer and best known for his Mapp and Lucia series and ghost
stories. Also wrote biographies and autobiographies, as well as fiction.
Formed in 1984, the Society publishes
an annual journal, The Dodo, a talk, and organises walks in Rye, an annual visit to Rye, and also visits to places
of Benson interest. It gives talks on the Bensons and has organised exhibitions.
More details on the Society from
http://www.efbensonsociety.org/
The Betjeman
Society
John Betjeman (1906 – 1984), poet, writer and broadcaster. He started out as a journalist and became the British Poet Laureate.
More details on the Society from
http://www.johnbetjeman.com/society.html
The Bewick
Society
Thomas Bewick (1753 – 1828), wood engraver and ornithologist.
Works include Select Fables, A General History of Quadrupeds, and History of British Birds.
The Society works to promote
an interest in the life and work of Thomas Bewick and related subjects, especially with regard to wood engraving. They produce a newsletter, Cherryburn Times, twice a year, and there are also visits to special
collections (some of which are not open to the public).
For more detail, visit http://www.bewicksociety.org/
The Blake Society of St James’s
William Blake (1757 – 1827), poet,
painter, and engraver.
Founded in 1985, the Blake Society
encourages a greater appreciation of William Blake’s remarkable artistic achievement through regular meetings with eminent
speakers. They publish a journal each year and this is regarded as a major source
of Blake studies.
For more detail, visit http://www.blakesociety.org.uk/
The George Borrow Society
George Henry Borrow (1803 – 1881), writer of novels and travelogues. His best known book, Lavengro, is largely autobiographical.
Formed in 1991, the Society works
to promote knowledge of the life and works of George Borrow. They have an annual
meeting, usually in July. They also issue The George Borrow Bulletin twice
a year.
For more detail, visit http://www.clough5.fsnet.co.uk/gb.html
The Bronte
Society
The Bronte Society is open to
everyone to join. It is one of the oldest literary societies in the English speaking
world. They are always looking for new members to join and help support their
important work in preserving the museum at Haworth and the library collections.
To learn more about the Bronte
family and the Society, visit http://www.bronte.org.uk/
The Rupert
Brooke Society
Rupert Chawner Brooke (1887 – 1915), poet, known for his idealistic War Sonnets written
during World War I. Died on his way to Gallipoli and buried on the Greek island
of Skyros.
To learn more about Rupert Brooke,
and the Society, visit http://rupertbrooke.com/index.html
The Browning
Society
Robert Browning (1812 – 1889),
poet and playwright. Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806 - 1861), poet.
Formed in 1969, the Browning
Society aims to provide a focus for contemporary interest in Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning. There is an annual programme of lectures, and visits, in London and elsewhere, in addition to the publication
of the Browning Society Notes. Activities centre on London and the Home
Counties, but members living elsewhere in Britain and overseas are kept in touch through the journal and regular interchanges
of news and information. The Browning Society also supports the effots of the
Friends of Casa Guidi to restore and maintain the Browning home in Florence.
For more information, visit http://www.browningsociety.org/
The John
Buchan Society
John Buchan, 1st Baron Tweedsmuir (1875 – 1940), Scottish novelist. Works include The Thirty Nine Steps, and Prester John.
Founded in 1979, the Society
works to promote a wider understanding and appreciation of the life and works of John Buchan.
There is an annual dinner and AGM, alternately in Scotland and in England.
To find out more, visit http://www.johnbuchansociety.co.uk/
The Burney
Society
Frances Burney (1752 – 1840), also known as Fanny Burney,
novelist, diarist and playwright. Works include Evelina, Cecilia, Camilla,
and The Wanderer. A brilliant woman whose diaries and journals illuminate many details of 18th or 19th
century life. Her novels were part of Jane Austen's inspiration.
The Society works for the advancement
of education into aspects of history and literature relating to Fanny Burney and her connections. For details of the
Society, contact David and Janet Tregear, 36 Henty Gardens, Chichester PO19 3DL (tel. 01243 533928 or email tregear.david@virgin.net.
The Caldecott
Society
Randolph Caldecott (1846 – 1886), artist and illustrator.
He greatly influenced the illustration of children’s books during the 19th century. He also illustrated novels, accounts of foreign travel, made humorous drawings depicting hunting and fashionable
life, drew cartoons, made sketches of the famous Parliament inside and out, and exhibited sculptures and oils/watercolours
in the Royal Academy.
The Society works to promote
and encourage, for the public benefit, the study and appreciation of the work and life of Randolph Caldecott.
For more information, visit http://www.randolphcaldecott.org.uk/
The Lewis
Carroll Society
The Reverend Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (1832 – 1898), author, mathematician, logician, Anglican
clergyman, and photographer. Most famous writings were Alice’s Adventures
in Wonderland, Through the Looking Glass, The Hunting of the Snark, and Jabberwocky.
Formed in 1969, the Society aims
to encourage research into the life and works of Lewis Carroll. Its membership
is worldwide. The Society organises meetings with speakers, weekends away at Lewis Carroll related locations, and produces
four different periodicals, published 2 - 4 times per year. It holds about 6 meetings per year, some in London
and some 'days away' elsewhere. There is usually a long conference weekend at a Lewis Carroll related location.
For more information, visit http://lewiscarrollsociety.org.uk/ or contact Roger E Allen, 29 Soloman Drive, Bideford, Devon, EX39 5XY (email lundycabbage@aol.com)
The Daresbury
Lewis Carroll Society
Contact: K N Oultram, Clatterwick Hall, Little Leigh, Northwich, Cheshire CW8 4RJ.
The Chesterton Society
Gilbert Keith Chesterton (1874 – 1936), journalist, philosopher, poet, biographer, and writer of
fantasy and detective fiction. Works include the Father Brown series,
The Man Who Was Thursday, Lepanto, The Rolling English Road, and The Secret People.
To contact the Society: The Chesterton Society, 11 Lawrence Leys, Bloxham, Oxon OX15 4NH
The John Clare Society
John Clare (1793 – 1864), commonly known as the Northamptonshire Peasant Poet. A prolific writer with a large collection of manuscripts in the Peterborough and Northampton museums. Clare’s poetic descriptions of local fauna and flora are a great source of reference
for natural historians.
Founded in 1981, the Society
works to promote a wider and deeper knowledge of Clare and his countryside. They
produce a quarterly newsletter, and an annual journal. The John Clare Festival
weekend is held each July in the village of Helpston, just outside Peterborough – open to everyone. Membership is international – with branches in the USA and now in Japan.
For more information, visit http://www.johnclare.org.uk/
The William Cobbett Society
William Cobbett (1763 – 1835), political pamphleteer, farmer and prolific journalist. Best known for his book Rural Rides.
For more detail on the Society,
contact Barbara Biddell on 01798 342008.
The Friends of Coleridge
Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772 – 1834), poet, critic and philosopher. Best known for The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, Kubla Khan and Biographia Literaria.
Founded in 1986, The Friends
of Coleridge aim to foster interest in his life and works and to support Coleridge Cottage in Nether Stowey, Somerset, through
cooperation with the National Trust. They produce the Coleridge Bulletin
twice a year, host an annual study weekend at Kilve in Somerset, and sponsor a biennial international conference at Cannington,
close to the Quantock Hills.
More information from http://www.friendsofcoleridge.com/
The Wilkie Collins Society
William Wilkie Collins (1824 – 1889), novelist, playwright, and short story writer. Best known works: The Woman in White, The Moonstone, Armadale
and No Name.
Formed in 1980, the Society works
to promote interest in the life and works of Collins. The Society issues a newsletter
three times a year, and a journal. It also publishes an annual reprint of one
of Collins’ short, lesser known works.
For more detail, visit http://www.wilkie-collins.info/wilkie_collins_society.htm
The Cumbrian Literary Group
Founded in 1946, the Group provides
a meeting place for readers and writers, and those with an interest in literature. It
meets once a month, April to October, in Keswick. It also publishes an annual
magazine, Bookshelf, and writing competitions.
For more information contact
The Cumbrian Literary Group, Joyce Fisher, Secretary, Calgarth, The Brow, Flimby, Maryport, Cumbria, CA15 8TD - or email fisher_07@btinternet.com.
The Warwick Deeping Appreciation Society
George Warwick Deeping (1877 – 1950), novelist and short story writer. Best known for Sorrell and Son.
The aim of the Society is to contact other people who enjoy
reading Warwick Deeping’s books and to find out more about the life and works of this once enormously popular novelist.
For more information contact
The Warwick Deeping Society, 23 Merton road, Enfield, Middx EN2 OLS.
The Walter De
La Mare Society
Walter John de la Mare (1873 – 1956), poet, short story
writer, novelist, anthropologist, and critic, probably best remembered for his works for children, the novel Memoirs
of a Midget, and the poem, The Listeners.
The Society aims to honour his memory
by promoting the study and widening the readership of his works. It also aims to facilitate research, encourage, and,
where possible, support, new publications. The Society plans an annual event, issues an annual magazine, and occasional
newsletters. For detail on the Society, visit http://www.bluetree.co.uk/wdlmsociety/
The Dickens Fellowship
Charles John Huffam Dickens (1812 – 1870), most prolific
writer of the 19th century, most of who's novels were aimed at bringing public awareness of the social injustices of the day.
The Fellowship aims to stimulate,
or rekindle an appreciation of Dickens' pure artistry of words and for his eminently great genius of story-telling.
For more information, visit http://www.dickensfellowship.org/
For the Birmingham branch, contact
Dickens (Birmingham), 41 Claverdon Drive, Great Barr, Birmingham B43 5HR (0121 357 6593).
The Dubliners Literary Circle
Irish/Anglo-Irish: Moore, Yeats, Joyce, Becket, etc. Special interest in English
writers who have contributed to Irish literary history.
The Circle meets fortnightly
to read and discuss Irish and Anglo-Irish authors. Current membership is 24.
For more information, contact
Desmond O’Malley, 35 Silloge Gardens, Dublin 11 (tel. 087949 7541 or email byrne.desmond@yahoo.com).
The Dorothy Dunnett Readers Association
Dorothy Dunnett (1923 – 2001), Scottish historical novelist.
Best known for the Lymond Chronicles, and The House of Niccolo.
The Association produces a quarterly
magazine, Whispering Gallery, and holds an annual gathering in Edinburgh in April.
There are also affiliated meetings.
For more detail, visit http://www.ddra.org/home.htm
Friends of the Dymock Poets
Formed in 1993 the Friends exist
to foster an interest in the work of the Dymock Poets, preserve places and things associated with them, keep members informed
of literary and other matters relating to them, help protect the border countryside of Herefordshire and Gloucestershire,
and increase knowledge and appreciation of the landscape between May Hill and the Malvern Hills. They hold lectures, poetry readings, guided walks and social meetings;
produce a regular newsletter, and hold an annual event to commemorate
the first meeting between Edward Thomas and Robert Frost in 1913.
To find out more, visit http://www.dymock.org.uk/history/poets.asp
The George
Eliot Fellowship
Mary Ann Evans (1819 – 1880), novelist. Her novels, largely set in provincial England, are well known for their realism and psychological perspicacity.
Founded in 1930, the Fellowship
aims to promote interest in Eliot’s life and works.
For more information, visit http://www.lang.nagoya-u.ac.jp/~matsuoka/Eliot.html
The Ford
Madox Ford Society
Ford Madox Ford (1873 – 1939), novelist, poet, critic and editor.
Best remembered for the Good Soldier and the Parade’s End tetralogy.
The Society was founded
in 1997 to promote knowledge of and interest in Ford. They organise an active programme of events. For more information
on the Society, visit http://www.rialto.com/fordmadoxford_society/
The Gaskell
Society
Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell (1810 – 1865), nee Stevenson, was raised in Knutsford, Cheshire,
before her marriage to a Manchester Unitarian Minister in 1832. The death of her only son inspired her to write and
Dickens invited her to contribute to his magazine. Her home at Plymouth Grove was visited by many famous people from
1850 to her early death.
Formed in 1985, in Knutsford, the Society works
to promote and encourage the study and appreciation of the work and life of this Victorian author of Cranford,
Mary Barton, North and South, Wives and Daughters, Silvia's Lovers, as well as numerous short stories, and biography
of Charlotte Bronte. To arrange associated visits and encourage republication of her works. Bi-annual conference.
For more information, visit http://www.gaskellsociety.co.uk/
The Kenneth Grahame Society
Kenneth
Grahame (1859 – 1932) is best known as the author of The Wind in the Willows and The Reluctant Dragon.
He also wrote a number of essays and two highly-regarded collections of short stories - The Golden Age and Dream
Days - about a family of orphaned children.
The aims of the Society are to
encourage scholarly study and discussion of the works of Kenneth Grahame, actively promote an expanded universe around The
Wind in the Willows, and to be a comprehensive and accurate resource on the life and works of Kenneth Grahame.
The Society has an extensive website and an online discussion forum. It organises two events each year - a Spring Stroll
in May, and an AGM/weekend in September - at locations associated with Kenneth Grahame. A quarterly newsletter, Riverbank
News, is sent to all members. Membership is free and membership applications from all over the world are welcomed.
There will be a subsection within
the Kenneth Grahame Society online forum dedicated to the works of Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch from September 2008 until an independent
literary society dedicated to him is formed.
To find out more, visit http://www.kennethgrahamesociety.net/ or email badger@kennethgrahamesociety.net.
The Graham
Greene Birthplace Trust
Henry Graham Greene (1904 – 1991), novelist, short story writer, playwright, screenwriter, travel
writer, and critic. Greene combined serious literary acclaim with wide popularity. Works include, Brighton Rock, The Quiet American, Our Man in Havana, The Man Within,
Stamboul Train.
The Trust aims to promote the appreciation and study of the
works of Graham Greene, and is based in Berkhamsted, his birthplace.
More
detail from http://www.grahamgreenebt.org/
The Fulke Greville Society
Fulke Greville, 1st Baron Brooke, de jure 13th Baron Latimer, and 5th
Baron Willoughby de Broke (1554 – 1628), Elizabethen poet, dramatist and statesman.
His poetry consists of closet tragedies, sonnets, and political/moral subjects.
Works include The Life of the Renowned Sir Philip Sidney, Alaham, Mustapha.
For more information on the Society,
contact Anthony Astbury, 6 Mellors Court, the Butts, Warwick, CV34 4ST (tel. 01926 492086.
The Rider Haggard Society
Sir Henry Rider Haggard (1856 – 1925), prolific
writer of adventure novels. Famous for King Solomon's Mines and
She, but also for non-fiction works on farming, social conditions and historical aspects of the Boer War. Many
of his adventure stories have been filmed and some dramatised. A fascinating man and a fascinating life. Very
influential.
Formed in 1987, the Society meets
every 12 - 18 months in different locations. They research and help studies from all over the world. Recently
introduced an annual Short Story Competition for the general public. A journal is issued four times a year, with many
coloured illustrations. Hundreds of Haggard books are available to purchase. For more information visit http://www.riderhaggardsociety.org.uk/
The Thomas Hardy Society
Thomas Hardy (1840 – 1928), novelist, short story writer, and poet.
The bulk of his work, set mainly in the semi-imaginary county of Wessex, delineates characters struggling against their
passions and circumstances. Works include The Poor Man and the Lady, Far from
the Madding Crowd, the Mayor of Casterbridge, The Woodlanders, and Tess of the d’Urbervilles.
The Society aims to promote the
works of Hardy for both education and enjoyment. It’s for anyone with an
interest in Hardy. It holds various events, including a biennial international
conference and a festival.
For more information, visit http://www.hardysociety.org/
The James Hilton Society
James Hilton (1900 – 1954), novelist and scriptwriter.
Author of Lost Horizon, Random Harvest and Goodbye Mr Chips. Eight of his novels were made into films.
The aims of the Society are to
promote interest in the life and works of James Hilton. We publish a quarterly newsletter and an annual scholarly journal,
and organises conferences and meetings.
For more information visit http://www.jameshiltonsociety.co.uk/
The Historical Novel Society
Founded in 1997, the Society
promotes all aspects of historical fiction. They provide support and opportunities
for new writers; information for students, booksellers and librarians; and a community for authors, readers, agents and publishers. They publish a quarterly magazine, Historical Novels Review, and a twice yearly
magazine Solander. There are also conferences in the UK and the USA.
For more information visit http://www.historicalnovelsociety.org/
The Hopkins Society
Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844 – 1889), poet. His experimental explorations in prosody (especially sprung rhythm) and his use of imagery established
him as a daring innovator in a period of largely traditional verse.
Founded in 1990, the Society
promotes the work of Hopkins.
To find out more, visit http://www.hopkinsoc.freeserve.co.uk/
The Housman Society
Alfred Edward Housman (1859 – 1936), poet, best known for his cycle of poems A Shropshire Lad.
Founded in 1973, the Society
promotes knowledge and appreciation of the lives and works of A E Housman and other members of his family. It produces an annual journal, organises discussions, visits and poetry readings. Commemorations are usually in Bromsgrove and Ludlow each year.
For more information, visit http://www.housman-society.co.uk/
The Richard Jefferies Society
Richard Jefferies (1848 – 1887), was an authority on agriculture and rural life. Best
known for his nature writing, he was also an essayist, novelist and mystic.
The Richard Jefferies Society
was founded in 1950 and has 300 members around the world. Most activities are based at Coate, Swindon - Jefferies' birthplace
and home, now a museum open to the public on the second Wednesday of the month (10 am to 4 pm) throughout the year and the
first and third Sundays (2 pm to 5 pm) from May to September inclusive. Admission is free - park at Coate Water.
There are winter meetings, outings, a study day and a Birthday Lecture. Publications include a yearly Journal, spring
and autumn newsletters and an annual report along with leaflets of tours of places beloved by Jefferies.
More information from the Hon
Sec, Jean Saunders, Pear Tree Cottage, Longcot, Oxon SN7 7SS. Tel. 01793 783040. Email R.Jefferies_Society@tiscali.co.uk. Website http://richardjefferiessociety.blogspot.com
Protect Jefferies Land from development.
Please continue to sign the Save Coate petition: http://www.petitiononline.com/savecoat/petition.html.
The Jerome K Jerome Society
Jerome Klapka Jerome (1859 – 1927), writer and editor of Today and The Idler.
Best known for the classic of English humour, Three Men in a Boat (say nothing of the dog), and its sequel, Three
Men on the Bummel. He produced a typically off-beat autobiography, My Life and Times.
The Society, which is based in
the author's birth place, Walsall, was formed in 1984 and aims to stimulate interest in and public awareness of the life and
works of Jerome K Jerome. The magazine, Idle Thoughts, is produced twice a year. There is a glittering
annual dinner in Walsall on or around the author's birth date, 2 May, and an annual Christmas concert.
To find out more, visit http://www.jeromekjerome.com/
The Johnson
Society (Lichfield)
Dr Samuel Johnson, born in Lichfield Sept 1709 and died in London Dec 1784, lexicographer, author, poet,
conversationalist, and Christian.
The Johnson Society aims
to encourage the study of the life, works and times of Samuel Johnson and also to cooperate in preserving the memorials, associations,
manuscripts and letters of Johnson and his contemporaries. It commemorates Johnson's birthday for a weekend in
September every year.
Officers of the Society can be
contacted at The Johnson Birthplace Museum, Breadmarket Street, Lichfield, Staffs WS13 6LG. Or visit the website at http://www.lichfieldrambler.co.uk/
The Johnson
Society (London)
The London Society was founded
in 1928 and has an international membership. It holds seven meetings each year
with speakers. It also publishes an annual journal The New Rambler and
an occasional newsletter The New Idler.
For more detail, visit http://www.johnsonsocietyoflondon.org/
The David
Jones Society
David
Jones (1895 - 1974) attended Camberwell Art College before joining the Royal Welsh Fusiliers in 1915. He fought at the
Battle of the Somme, and, on returning to England, met Eric Gill and continued to paint. He subsequently started to
write, publishing long poems with illustrations.
The Society aims to promote
and encourage knowledge about the painter-poet. Annual conferences are organised, as well as visits to sites of interest
where he lived, worked, fought in the Great War, and art galleries containing his visual art. It also publishes an annual
journal. For more information visit the website at www.davidjonessociety.org.
The Sheila Kaye Smith Society
Sheila Kaye Smith (1887 – 1956), writer, known for her many novels set in the borderlands of Sussex
and Kent in the English regional tradition. Works include The End of the House
of Alard, Joanna Godden, and Susan Spray.
Formed in 1987, the Society works
to encourage interest in her writings and their relationship with her life and with the places associated with her. Meetings in Sussex, in St Leonards.
For more information, contact
The Sheila Kaye Smith Society, Silverden Oast, Church Lane, Northiam, Rye, East Sussex TN31 6NW (tel.
