Ever since Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832) put pen to paper in his Waverley novel and popularised (or as some would claim created) the genre of historical fiction, historians and novelists alike have struggled with what such a combination of real and fictive elements means to both forms of writing. It is interesting that from the very beginning of the genre many historians were also novelists.
Take Ian Mortimer for instance, a well-regarded historian of the middle-ages who also writes historical novels under the pseudonym James Forrester. We will hear from him on this very subject at 11am today via his short article on Why Historians Should Write Fiction and by audio podcast at 12pm.
The differences and similarities between historical fiction and academic history will also be discussed by author/historian Rebecca Stott; magazine columnist for The Nation, Maria Margaronis; and historian of ideas, Beverley Southgate. In addition we present more book reviews, opinion pieces and various other pieces of content for your enjoyment and interest.
Day Three: Programme
The conference programme can be found via a link on the left-hand column. However, each day we will also update you with the day’s proceedings. It should be noted that all times are British GMT.
9.30am Lecture Maria Margaronis
10.30am Book review: Flyers and their Traumas: the RAF in the Second World War
11am Article: Ian Mortimer on Why Historians Should Write Fiction
2pm Lecture: Beverley Southgate
4pm Book review: Shell-shocked: trauma, the Emotions and WWI (Tracey
Novel approaches 