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The Bodleian Libraries (BODcasts)

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The Bodleian Libraries at the University of Oxford is the largest university library system in the United Kingdom. It includes the principal University library - the Bodleian Library - which has been a legal deposit library for 400 years; as well as 28 other libraries across Oxford including major research libraries and faculty, department and institute libraries. Together, the Libraries hold more than 12 million printed items, over 80,000 e-journals and outstanding special collections including rare books and manuscripts, classical papyri, maps, music, art and printed ephemera. Members of the public can explore the collections via the Bodleian’s online image portal at digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk or by visiting the exhibition galleries in the Bodleian's Weston Library. For more information, visit www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk.

# Episode Title Description People Date
1 Why Read Frankenstein in 2018? Two hundred years after it was first published, Nick Groom explains the abiding appeal and extraordinary contemporary relevance of Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein. Nick Groom 22 Oct 2018
2 Tolkien's turning point: Tolkien and the history of tongues Tom Shippey's lecture will move from the detail to the (eventual) design of Tolkien's languages, and even the philosophical issues embedded in Tolkien's fiction. Tom Shippey 19 Sep 2018
3 The Lyell Lectures 2018: Book Ownership in Stuart England: 'Setting the scene: Trends and patterns' David Pearson, Lyell Reader in Bibliography 2017-18 and Research Fellow, Institute of English Studies, University of London, gives the first of the 2018 Lyell lectures on Tuesday 24 April 2018. David Pearson 11 Jun 2018
4 What happened to wireless? Jacob Ward, Bodleian Libraries Byrne-Bussey Marconi Fellow, Department of Science and Technology Studies, UCL, gives the 2018 Marconi lecture. Jacob Ward 19 Mar 2018
5 Printing a Line at the Bodleian Weston Library Printing Press This one-off print comprised text and drawing by artist and writer Tamarin Norwood, concluding her year-long residency at Spike Island Bristol, Tamarin Norwood 13 Dec 2017
6 Making Third Stream Books in the Post-digital Age Russell Maret talks about the development of the primary themes of his artist's books - alphabet design, colour printing, and geometric form, also the influences of history and technology on his methods and subject matter. Russell Maret 08 Dec 2017
7 Making Third Stream Books in the Post-digital Age Russell Maret talks about the development of the primary themes of his artist's books - alphabet design, colour printing, and geometric form, also the influences of history and technology on his methods and subject matter. Russell Maret 08 Dec 2017
8 Researching the Impeachment and Trial of Robert Harley, Earl of Oxford Visiting fellow, Dr Robin Eagles of the History of Parliament Trust discusses his research into Robert Harley, Earl of Oxford Robin Eagles 10 Nov 2017
9 Tanakh and textuality Visiting researcher Dr Rachel Wamsley discusses the renowned Oppenheimer Collection, whose holdings shed light on the printing house as a site of cultural and literary encounter between Jews and Christians in early modern Europe. Rachel Wamsley 15 Sep 2017
10 Marconi and media history Dr Noah Arceneaux, Associate Professor, School of Journalism and Media Studies, San Diego State University, Byrne-Bussey Marconi Visiting Fellow 2016-17, Bodleian Library, talks about the history of wireless broadcasting and the Bodleian Marconi Archive. Noah Arceneaux 14 Sep 2017
11 A life in politics: Lord Heseltine in conversation with Lord Hennessy Michael Heseltine discusses his political career with Peter Hennessy. Michael Heseltine, Peter Hennessy, Richard Ovenden 21 Mar 2017
12 Rumi: his life, work, and poetry Dr Zahra Taheri, Bahari Visiting Fellow in the Persian Arts of the Book, speaks about Rumi's life, mystical teaching, doctrine, and poetry. With Music by Dr Peyman Heydarian. Zahra Taheri, Peyman Heydarian, Fitzroy Morrissey 24 Jan 2017
13 Research business and the shortwave beam: Marconi and the uses of wireless in postwar years Giovanni Paoloni discusses the influence of the development of the shortwave beam technology on Marconi and the Marconi Company Giovanni Paoloni 03 Nov 2016
14 Marconi's early 'Latin' projects over the South-Atlantic Inês Queiroz explores how technical constraints have shaped strategies for wireless networks development Inês Queiroz 03 Nov 2016
15 Performing Shakespeare: then and now Jonathan Lloyd and Tiffany Stern, discuss performing Shakespeare in the past and now Jonathan Lloyd, Tiffany Stern 02 Nov 2016
16 Creative Commons Shakespeare and the Victorians Robert Douglas-Fairhurst, Professor of English Literature, Oxford, gives a talk for Shakespeare Oxford 2016 series. Robert Douglas-Fairhurst 19 Oct 2016
17 Modelos cursivos y aprendizaje de la escritura en la Corona de Castilla en el siglo XV (in Spanish) Carmen del Camino (Seville), gives a talk The unskilled scribe: Elementary hands and their place in the history of handwriting, a seminar held on 30th September 2016. Carmen del Camino 14 Oct 2016
18 Scritture umanistiche elementari (in Italian) Teresa De Robertis (Florence), gives a talk for The unskilled scribe: Elementary hands and their place in the history of handwriting, a seminar held on 30th September 2016. Teresa De Robertis 14 Oct 2016
19 Hands turned to stone: some unconventional attempts at inscriptional lettering Marc Smith (Paris), gives a talk for The unskilled scribe: Elementary hands and their place in the history of handwriting, a seminar held on 30th September 2016. Marc Smith 14 Oct 2016
20 Introduction to The unskilled scribe Irene Ceccherini (Oxford) gives a talk for the unskilled scribe: Elementary hands and their place in the history of handwriting, a seminar held on 30th September 2016. Irene Ceccherini 14 Oct 2016
21 Elementary cursive handwriting in English and Scottish Charters, 1150-1250 Teresa Webber (Cambridge), gives a talk in the The unskilled scribe: Elementary hands and their place in the history of handwriting, held on September 30th 2016. Teresa Webber 14 Oct 2016
22 Elite Folktales: An Exquisite Sixteenth-Century Persian Illustrated Manuscript in the Bodleian Library’s Ouseley Collection A conversation with Dr Nasrin Askari, Bahari Visiting Fellow in the Persian Arts of the Book 2016 & Alasdair Watson, Bahari Curator of Persian Collections, Bodleian Library Nasrin Askari, Alasdair Watson 02 Aug 2016
23 Launch of the 15th Century Booktrade Cristina Dondi and her colleagues launch the 15th Century Booktrade. Cristina Dondi, Kristian Jensen, Geri Della Rocca de Candal, Simon Walton 21 Jul 2016
24 Brown's landscapes in the twenty-first century Join the head gardeners of Stowe and Compton Verney to explore the challenges, changes and rewards of protecting and preserving Capability Brown's landscapes in his tercentenary year. Barry Smith, Gary Webb 21 Jul 2016
25 Life, death and astrology in Shakespeare's England Lauren Kassell (Reader in the History of Science and Medicine, Cambridge) gives a talk for the Bodleian libraries. Lauren Kassell 30 Jun 2016
26 Eloquence vault mieulx que force Vernacular Translations of Plutarch and Political Argument in Renaissance France Rebecca Kingston 30 Jun 2016
27 Memorialising Shakespeare: The First Folio and other elegies Emma Smith (Professor of English Literature, Oxford), gives a talk on Shakespeare memorials. Emma Smith 02 Jun 2016
28 Venus and Adonis Professor Katherine Duncan Jones, Senior Research Fellow, Somerville College, gives a talk on Shakespeare's poem, Venus and Adonis. Katherine Duncan-Jones 20 May 2016
29 Donne to Death Peter McCullough, Professor of English, University of Oxford, gives a talk on John Donne. Peter McCullough 13 May 2016
30 Everyday death in Shakespeare's England This podcast talks about accidental deaths and the hazards of everyday life in Shakespeare's day Steven Gunn 05 May 2016
31 The Magic of Shakespeare This lecture will celebrate Shakespeare's immortality on the exact 400th anniversary of his burial. It will begin from Theseus' famous speech in A Midsummer Night's Dream about the magical, transformative power of poetry. Jonathan Bate 03 May 2016
32 Books for mind and community in 12th-century Oxford and Cirencester In this talk Andrew Dunning (Royal Bank of Canada Foundation Fellow) traces the development of the work of Alexander Neckam, one of the earliest known lecturers in Oxford, through manuscripts housed at the Bodleian. Andrew Dunning 04 Apr 2016
33 1594: Shakespeare's most important year In the summer of 1594 William Shakespeare decided to invest around £50 to become a shareholder in a newly formed acting company: the Lord Chamberlain's Men. This lecture examines the consequences of this decision, unique in English theatrical history. Bart van Es 02 Mar 2016
34 The Prayer-Book of Abbess Odilia Abbess Bärbel Görcke, Mariensee, delivers a talk for the Medingen Manuscripts Masterclass. Bärbel Görcke 22 Feb 2016
35 Musical Notation Ulrike Hascher-Burger, Utrecht University, delivers a talk for the Medingen Manuscripts Masterclass. Ulrike Hascher-Burger 22 Feb 2016
36 The Incunable Traces Alan Coates, Rare Books Assistant Librarian, Bodleain, delivers a talk for the Medingen Manuscripts Masterclass. Alan Coates 22 Feb 2016
37 Cistercian Puntuation Nigel F. Palmer, Faculty of Medieval and Modern Languages, University of Oxford, delivers a talk for the Medingen Manuscripts Masterclass. Nigel Palmer 22 Feb 2016
38 The Plaque in the Psalter and the Bindings Andrew Honey, Book Conservator (Research and Teaching), University of Oxford, delivers a talk for the Medingen Manuscripts Masterclass. Andrew Honey 04 Feb 2016
39 Masterclass: Medingen Manuscripts - Introduction Introduction to the Masterclass by Professor Henrike Lähnemann, Chair of Medieval German Literature and Linguistics, University of Oxford. Henrike Lähnemann 04 Feb 2016
40 200 years of fun and games Richard Ballam talks about the rich collections of games and pastimes he has recently donated to the Bodleian, the subject of the display Playing with History. Richard Ballam 29 Jan 2016
41 Creative Commons The Future of Research Libraries A talk delivered by Andrew Green at the Anybook Oxford Libraries Conference 2015 - Adapting for the Future: Developing Our Professions and Services, 21st July 2015. Andrew Green 15 Sep 2015
42 Creative Commons Leadership and Embedding a Culture of Innovation at the University of Manchester A talk delivered by Jan Wilkinson at the Anybook Oxford Libraries Conference 2015 - Adapting for the Future: Developing Our Professions and Services, 21st July 2015. Jan Wilkinson 15 Sep 2015
43 The State of the Archives in the UK and the Challenges Ahead A talk delivered by Clem Brohier at the Anybook Oxford Libraries Conference 2015 - Adapting for the Future: Developing Our Professions and Services, 21st July 2015. Clem Brohier 15 Sep 2015
44 Creative Commons Evidence-Based Decision Making for Collection Management A talk delivered by Paul Cavanagh & James Kay at the Anybook Oxford Libraries Conference 2015 - Adapting for the Future: Developing Our Professions and Services, 21st July 2015. Paul Cavanagh, James Kay 15 Sep 2015
45 Malone’s Chronologizing of Aubrey’s Lives ( “putt in writing … tumultuarily”) Keynote lecture by Margreta de Grazia, (Emerita Sheli Z. and Burton X. Rosenberg Professor of the Humanities, University of Pennsylvania) for the Marginal Malone conference held in Oxford on June 26th, 2015. Margreta de Grazia 04 Aug 2015
46 Distinguishing Marks of Genius What do geniuses have in common, across the arts and sciences? And how do we distinguish genius from talent? Andrew Robinson, author of Genius: A Very Short Introduction, considers (a little of) the evidence. Andrew Robinson 15 Jul 2015
47 Pieces of the jigsaw: history through the John Johnson Collection of Printed Ephemera A lunchtime lecture by Julie-Anne Lambert accompanying the exhibition Marks of Genius: Masterpieces from the Collections of the Bodleian Libraries. Julie-Anne Lambert 10 Jul 2015
48 The Savile Library Lunchtime lecture by Will Poole accompanying the exhibition Marks of Genius: Masterpieces from the Collections of the Bodleian Libraries. Will Poole 09 Jul 2015
49 Painted by numbers: decoding Ferdinand Bauer's Flora Graeca colour code Lunchtime lecture by Richard Mulholland accompanying the exhibition Marks of Genius: Masterpieces from the Collections of the Bodleian Libraries. Richard Mullholland 09 Jul 2015
50 Mr Douce steps into the nursery and lingers... A lunchtime lecture by Clive Hurst accompanying the exhibition Marks of Genius: Masterpieces from the Collections of the Bodleian Libraries. Clive Hurst 09 Jul 2015
51 Beauty and the Victorians 'Buying beauty in the Victorian period' Dr Jessica Clark looks at the Victorian beauty industry, and the transition from disapproval of artifice to a celebration of the wonders of cosmetics. Jess Clark 09 Jul 2015
52 Marks on canvas, stone, wood and paper: the Genius of the Bodleian Portrait Collection Dana Josephson gives a talk for the Marks of Genius Masterpieces from the Collections of the Bodleian Libraries series. Dana Josephson 08 Jul 2015
53 Missionaries and Religious Print Culture in Canada Bibles and religious literature were an integral part of Canadian society and culture between 1830 and 1900. Stuart Barnard 08 Jul 2015
54 Creative Commons Writing The Hobbit: a perilous quest! In this talk Stuart Lee will look at the various texts we may call The Hobbit. Starting with the 1937 edition (on display) he will look at the changes enforced on Tolkien after he had finished The Lord of the Rings and how he coped with these. Stuart Lee 03 Jun 2015
55 New Sappho and new libraries Fourth Lunchtime lecture accompanying the exhibition Marks of Genius: Masterpieces from the Collections of the Bodleian Libraries. With Dr Dirk Obbink. Dirk Obbink 19 May 2015
56 Four centuries of Chinese book collecting Third Lunchtime lecture accompanying the exhibition Marks of Genius: Masterpieces from the Collections of the Bodleian Libraries. With Mr David Helliwell. David Helliwell 19 May 2015
57 The Trade in Printed Books: an ingenious innovation that changed the Western World Second in the Marks of Genius series, with Dr Christina Dondi Christina Dondi 19 May 2015
58 Abridging Histories: Capt. James Cook and the Voyages of Reading (1784–) Professor Michael Suarez, in the Lyell Lectures 2015, urges scholars to remember the books that most readers encountered: the cheaper abridged versions of popular novels and accounts such as Cook's voyages. Michael Suarez 18 May 2015
59 Naming Names: Underwriting Patronage in Tonson’s Cæsar (1712) Professor Michael Suarez, in the Lyell Lectures 2015, locates the visual sources of a famous illustrated edition of Caesar's works and comments on the social and political significance of the subscription plate book. Michael Suarez 18 May 2015
60 Singular Multiples: Comprehending the General Evening Post (1754–86) Professor Michael Suarez continues the Lyell Lectures 2015, showing that archival evidence is necessary to understand the history of newspapers Michael Suarez 18 May 2015
61 Proliferating Images: Diagrams of the Slave Ship Brookes (1789) Professor Michael Suarez traces the transatlantic journey of a famous image deployed against the slave trade. Michael Suarez 18 May 2015
62 True Colours: A Natural History of Louis Renard’s Poissons (1719) Professor Michael Suarez continues the Lyell Lectures 2015, asking what role colour plays in bibliographical description? Michael Suarez 18 May 2015
63 Engraved Throughout: Pine's Horace (1733) as a Bibliographical Object Professor Michael Suarez gives the first Lyell Lecture of 2015. Michael Suarez 08 May 2015
64 Creative Commons Oxford Figures: 800 Years of the Mathematical Sciences Professor Robin Wilson, author of Alice's Adventures in Numberland, gives a talk on the history of studying Mathematics at Oxford, which is as old as the University itself. Robin Wilson 06 May 2015
65 The Lives of Harold Macmillan and Roy Jenkins Political biographers D R Thorpe and John Campbell speak about their subjects' careers culminating in the role of Chancellor of the University of Oxford. The discussion was chaired by Lord Patten of Barnes. D R Thorpe, John Campbell, Chris Patten 14 Nov 2014
66 Conscription and Conscientious Objection In this short talk Professor Martin Ceadel, Fellow and Tutor in Politics, New College, Oxford discusses the issue of military conscription and conscientious objection during the first world war. Martin Ceadel 12 Nov 2014
67 The Problem with Propaganda Dr Adrian Gregory, Fellow and Tutor in History, Pembroke College, Oxford discusses the use of propaganda by all sides during the first world war. Adrian Gregory 12 Nov 2014
68 The Meaning of 1914 A conversation between Professor Sir Hew Strachan and Professor Margaret MacMillan, chaired by Professor Patricia Clavin. Hew Strachan, Margaret MacMillan, Patricia Clavin 30 Oct 2014
69 Creative Commons Self-publishing in 18th-century Paris and London Marie-Claude Felton, Royal Bank of Canada-Bodleian Visiting Scholar, gives a talk for the Bodleian Library BODcasts series Marie-Claude Felton 05 Jun 2014
70 Creative Commons How to make your own eyeglasses for about one pound: an Oxford technology created to benefit the developing World Professor Joshua Silver talks about his invention of the self adjusting spectacles. Joshua Silver 27 Mar 2014
71 Lord Nuffield's Legacy to Oxford Dr Eric Sidebottom, Retired University Lecturer in Experimental Pathology, gives a lunch time talk to accompany the exhibition "Great Medical Discoveries: 800 Years of Oxford Innovation". Eric Sidebottom 07 Feb 2014
72 Oxford Medical Firsts: Celebrating 800 Years of Oxford Medicine. Conrad Keating, Writer-In-Residence, The Wellcome Unit for the History of Medicine, Oxford, gives a lecture about the remarkable contribution Oxford has made to the art and science of medicine. Conrad Keating 28 Nov 2013
73 Creative Commons Embodying song in Early Modern England Katherine Larson (University of Toronto) gives a talk on music in Early Modern England accompanied by Lutenist Matthew Faulk Katherine Larson, Matthew Faulk 26 Nov 2013
74 Magna Carta at Oxford Richard Sharpe explains that the seventeen surviving manuscripts on the Magna Carta are engrossments, not copies: official documents from Royal Chancery bearing the ruler's seal. Prof. Sharpe also reveals why so many examples of the Magna Carta survive. Richard Sharpe 29 Apr 2008
75 Citizen Milton Exhibition Talk Citizen Milton Exhibition Talk Philip Pullman 29 Apr 2008
76 The Creation as told in the Qu'ran World Book Day 2008 Talk. Professor Yahya Michot 29 Apr 2008
77 The Creation as told in the Bible World Book Day 2008 Talk. Alister McGrath 29 Apr 2008
78 The Creation as told in the Torah World Book Day 2008 Talk. Norman Solomon 29 Apr 2008
79 The Lyell Lectures 2018: Book Ownership in Stuart England: 'Books for use and books for show' David Pearson, Lyell Reader in Bibliography 2017-18 and Research Fellow, Institute of English Studies, University of London gives the second 2018 Lyell lecture on 26th April 2018. David Pearson 11 Jun 2018
80 Creative Commons Wolves and Winter: Old Norse Myths and Children's Literature Dr Carolyne Larrington, Supernumerary Fellow and Tutor in English, St John's College, gives a talk to accompany the exhibition 'Magical Books: From The Middle Ages to Middle Earth'. Carolyne Larrington 23 Oct 2013
81 The Lyell Lectures 2018: Book Ownership in Stuart England: 'Women and books in the 17th century' David Pearson, Lyell Reader in Bibliography 2017-18 and Research Fellow, Institute of English Studies, University of London gives the third Lyell lecture on 1st May 2018. David Pearson 11 Jun 2018
82 The Lyell Lectures 2018: Book Ownership in Stuart England: 'Books for the common man' David Pearson, Lyell Reader in Bibliography 2017-18 and Research Fellow, Institute of English Studies, University of London gives the fourth Lyell lecture on 3rd May 2018. David Pearson 11 Jun 2018
83 Stoicism and its Legacy A lecture given by Dr John Sellars, lecturer in Philosophy, Birkbeck, University of London, about Stoicism to accompany the display at the Bodleian Library; Stoicism and its Legacy. John Sellars 06 Jun 2013
84 The Lyell Lectures 2018: Book Ownership in Stuart England: 'Cultures of collecting in the 17th century' David Pearson, Lyell Reader in Bibliography 2017-18 and Research Fellow, Institute of English Studies, University of London gives the fifth and final Lyell lecture on 8th May 2018. David Pearson 11 Jun 2018
85 Once and Future Arthurs - Arthurian Literature for Children Anna Caughey gives a lecture at the Bodleian Library looking at the varying spectrum of literature about King Arthur written for children. Anna Caughey 06 Jun 2013
86 Creative Commons Richard Wagner: 200 Today Lecturer and conductor Dr Paul Coones delivers a lecture celebrating the 200th birthday of Richard Wagner. The talk is preceded by Siegried's Horn Call played by Sophie Dillon and includes the rarely performed Kinder-Katechismus zu Kosel's Geburtstag. Paul Coones 22 May 2013
87 The Hobbit at the Bodleian: World Book Day 2010 Judith Priestman, curator of literary manuscripts at the Bodleian library, discusses the World Book Day 2010 Tolkien exhibition, at which a selection of J.R.R. Tolkien's original artwork for The Hobbit, was on display to the public. Judith Priestman 22 May 2013
88 Dr Lawrence Goldman introduces the commemoration, 'Jim Callaghan Remembered' Dr Lawrence Goldman, editor of the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, introduces and chairs the seminar to commemorate the centenary of Jim Callaghan's birth. Lawrence Goldman 10 May 2013
89 Andrew Smith MP pays tribute to Jim Callaghan Member of Parliament for Oxford East, Andrew Smith gives his view of Jim Callaghan. Andrew Smith 23 Apr 2013
90 Michael Callaghan remembers his father Jim Callaghan Jim Callaghan's son Michael gives a talk about his memories of his fathers political life. Michael Callaghan 23 Apr 2013
91 Margaret Jay, Baroness Jay of Paddington remembers her father, Jim Callaghan The daughter of Jim Callaghan, Margaret Jay, gives the closing speech for the event. Margaret Jay 23 Apr 2013
92 Lord Owen remembers Jim Callaghan British politician Lord Owen talks about his experiences of Jim Callaghan. David Owen 23 Apr 2013
93 Lord Morgan remembers Jim Callaghan Historian and author Lord Morgan speaks about the Jim Callaghan papers deposited in the Bodleian. Kenneth Morgan 23 Apr 2013
94 Lord Donoughue remembers Jim Callaghan British politician, businessman and author Baron Donoughue of Ashton speaks about his view as special advisor to Jim Callaghan. Bernard Donoughue 23 Apr 2013
95 Creative Commons Xu Bing: The Kind of Artist I Am Chinese Artist Xu Bing gives a talk on the subject of his art and the kind of artist he is. Xu Bing 22 Apr 2013
96 Creative Commons Marconi and the Broadcasting Option: Annual Byrne-Bussey Marconi Lecture Held on Marconi day; 20th April, Gabriele Balbi (University of Lugano) gives a talk about Marconi, co-inventor of the radio. Gabriele Balbi 22 Apr 2013
97 Roy Strong talks to Brian Sewell Self-portrait as a Young Man Art critic Brian Sewell talks to Sir Roy Strong as part of the Times Literary Festival 2013. Brian Sewell, Roy Strong 15 Apr 2013
98 Creative Commons Image Matching on Printed Images in Bodleian Collections Giles Bergel and Andrew Zisserman from the Broadside Ballad Connections project demonstrate new image matching software that allows researchers to track images across early forms of printed literature. Visit http://ballads.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/. Giles Bergel, Andrew Zisserman, Relja Arandjelovic 13 Dec 2012
99 Creative Commons Dickens' Railways Professor Stphen Gill, Lincoln College, gives a talk about the influence the Railways had on Charles Dickens' literature. Stephen Gill 26 Oct 2012
100 Creative Commons The Romance of the Middle Ages Dr Nicholas Perkins talks about how romance functions as a genre in the middle ages, especially about how gifts and tokens were exchanged as signs of fidelity, specifically in Sir Orfeo, Sir Gawain, and King Horn. Nicholas Perkins 21 Jun 2012