2026 Foxcroft Lecture: Professor Danielle Clarke

The 2026 Foxcroft Lecture delivered by Professor Danielle Clarke will focus on how everyday readers from 1550 to 1700 thought about books. For some early modern readers, owning or being seen with a particular book was a way of signalling learning or social ambition, and in some cases, to appear more knowledgeable than they were.  
Drawing on the John Emmerson Collection at State Library Victoria, as well as examples from libraries worldwide, this lecture offers a vivid picture of reading as a lived, material practice. 
Observe ownership marks, annotations, doodles and other forms of material traces of reading habits – an insight into the literary customs of this era.  
This event will be livestreamed. Auslan interpretation is available on request. Book your tickets now.