We are pleased to announce that Laura Richards will be the focus of this year's conference. The conference will take place on Monday and Tuesday, 9-10th of October 2023, at Oranim College in Tiv’on, Israel.
The conference will focus on Richards’ children’s poems, mainly from
In My Nursery and
Tirra Lirra, and on one novel,
Captain January. While we welcome discussions of these works, we also encourage participants to discuss Richards' other works and genres, including her autobiographies, biographies, educational treatises, and poetry for adults.
We welcome proposals for 20-minute presentations on topics ranging from comparative readings of Richards alongside other children’s authors to questions of canonicity, publication history, and reception.
Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
• Richards and children’s poetry in Victorian America (and beyond)
• Comparative readings of Richards alongside other children’s authors
• Humor and nonsense verses
• Richards’ poems in light of her educational worldview
• Race, sex, gender, and class
• Food and animals in her poetry
• Illustrations and autobiographical aspects
• Laura Richards and Julia Ward Howe: a comparison
• Publication history and reception
• Richards’ recovery and questions of canonicity
We are also planning a special session on translation that will focus on two poems by Richards:
“Eletelephony” and “My Japanese Fan.” Please share this information with anyone who might be interested. and
A link to the conference site with information about accommodation and other practical information will be sent at a later stage.
We are already looking forward to seeing you all in Israel in October 2023!