Thomas Hardy Society

Thomas Hardy Society is a literary organization dedicated to the life and works of renowned English novelist and poet Thomas Hardy, known for his novels such as Tess of the d'Urbervilles and Jude the Obscure. The society was established in Dorchester, England, in 1968, with the aim of promoting the study and appreciation of Hardy's works, as well as preserving his legacy. The society's efforts are inspired by the literary contributions of Hardy, who was also a contemporary of notable authors like Charles Dickens, Wilkie Collins, and George Eliot. The society's activities are also influenced by the literary movements of the time, including the works of Romanticism and Realism, which were prominent during the Victorian era.

● History

The Thomas Hardy Society was founded by a group of enthusiasts, including Richard Little Purdy, who was a prominent Hardy scholar, and F.B. Pinion, a well-known expert on Hardy's life and works. The society's early years were marked by a series of lectures and events, featuring notable speakers such as Lord David Cecil and John Cowper Powys. The society's history is also closely tied to the preservation of Max Gate, Hardy's former residence in Dorchester, which is now a museum managed by the National Trust. The society has also been involved in various projects, including the restoration of Stinsford Church, where Hardy's heart is buried, and the creation of the Dorset County Museum's Hardy collection. The society's efforts have been recognized by various organizations, including the Royal Society of Literature and the British Academy.

● Objectives

The Thomas Hardy Society's primary objectives are to promote the study and appreciation of Thomas Hardy's life and works, as well as to preserve his legacy for future generations. The society aims to achieve these objectives through a range of activities, including the organization of lectures, conferences, and events, featuring notable speakers such as Harold Bloom and Terry Eagleton. The society also seeks to support research and scholarship on Hardy's works, including the study of his novels, such as The Return of the Native and The Mayor of Casterbridge, as well as his poetry collections, like Wessex Poems and Time's Laughingstocks. The society's objectives are also aligned with those of other literary organizations, including the Jane Austen Society and the Brontë Society.

● Activities

The Thomas Hardy Society organizes a range of activities throughout the year, including lectures, conferences, and events, which are often held in collaboration with other literary organizations, such as the English Literature Society and the Poetry Society. The society also offers guided tours of Dorchester and the surrounding Dorset countryside, which feature many of the locations that inspired Hardy's works, including Egdon Heath and Wessex. The society's activities are also influenced by the works of other notable authors, such as William Wordsworth and Emily Brontë, who were also inspired by the natural beauty of the English countryside. The society has also been involved in various cultural events, including the Dorchester Festival and the Wessex Book Fair.

● Membership

The Thomas Hardy Society has a diverse membership, comprising scholars, researchers, and enthusiasts from around the world, including notable authors and academics like A.S. Byatt and Ian McEwan. Members of the society receive a range of benefits, including access to exclusive events and lectures, as well as a subscription to the society's journal, which features articles and reviews on Hardy's life and works, as well as other literary topics, such as the works of George Orwell and Virginia Woolf. The society's membership is also open to students and young researchers, who are interested in pursuing a career in English literature or a related field, such as creative writing or literary criticism.

● Publications

The Thomas Hardy Society publishes a range of materials, including a journal, which features articles and reviews on Hardy's life and works, as well as other literary topics, such as the works of D.H. Lawrence and E.M. Forster. The society also publishes a newsletter, which provides updates on the society's activities and events, as well as news and reviews of Hardy-related publications, such as biographies and critical studies. The society's publications are also influenced by the works of other notable authors, such as James Joyce and T.S. Eliot, who were also prominent figures in the Modernist movement.

● Events

The Thomas Hardy Society organizes a range of events throughout the year, including conferences, lectures, and guided tours, which are often held in collaboration with other literary organizations, such as the Royal Shakespeare Company and the British Library. The society's events are designed to promote the study and appreciation of Hardy's life and works, as well as to preserve his legacy for future generations. The society's events are also influenced by the works of other notable authors, such as Charles Darwin and Alfred, Lord Tennyson, who were also prominent figures in the Victorian era. The society has also been involved in various cultural events, including the London Book Fair and the Edinburgh International Book Festival.

Category:Literary organizations