The differences and similarities between historical fiction and academic history: Beverley Southgate

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LECTURE

Speaker: Beverley Southgate (University of Hertfordshire)

Are historians party-poopers?  Is there a distinction these days between academic history and historical fiction or has that been entirely eroded?  And, if the barrier between fiction and fact has been eroded – does it matter?  These are all questions considered by Beverley Southgate as he looks through time at the relationship between historical fiction and academic history.

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About Matt Phillpott

I am an historian of early modern Britain and the Digital Resources Manager at the School of Advanced Study. My main area of interest is in the authentication of knowledge in early print, including religious, historical, and agricultural texts.

1 thought on “The differences and similarities between historical fiction and academic history: Beverley Southgate”

  1. Southgate believes that there has been an erosion of the distinction between history and historical fiction and asks if this blurring of the distinction matters. His answer: Yes, it does matter. If one reads historical fiction and expects it to be a definitive guide to a particular time or episode in history, then I agree with Southgate. If one reads historical fiction and expects authentic characterisation and/or setting, then no, the blurring of distinction does not matter.

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