Join us for a fascinating lunchtime talk in the Leveson Room as author Michael Meyer guides us through the 1876 obscenity trial of Annie Besant. On trial for the sordid crime of publishing and selling a birth control pamphlet, Annie decides to defend herself and, before Britain’s highest judge, Lord Chief Justice Cockburn, Middle Templer, she declares it is a woman’s right to choose when, and if, to have children.
The book draws on unpublished archives, private papers and courtroom transcripts and also an unpublished manuscript from our very own archive, which will be displayed for this talk.
Michael Meyer is a critically-acclaimed author and journalist who has written for the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times, and many other outlets. A Fulbright scholar, Guggenheim fellow, Berlin Prize and Whiting Award winner, Meyer has also received fellowships from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Cullman Center, MacDowell, and the University of Oxford's Centre for Life-Writing. He is a Professor of English at the University of Pittsburgh, where he teaches nonfiction writing.
Source: Penguin
Members of all four Inns and their guests. Inn staff also welcome. Members of other Inns can book by emailing library@middletemple.org.uk.
Please note that this event is not a Qualifying Session.
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If you have questions regarding religious practice at the Inn or at Inn events, or if you would like to request support, please email the Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator Laura Hacon. The Inn endeavours to make reasonable adjustments where possible.
The Inn is committed to improving access to all its services and encourages members to get in touch with suggestions and feedback on how we can improve. If you feel your experience using the website or attending one of our events could be improved, please email Laura. Your suggestions will be treated in the strictest confidence.
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