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Victorian Revivalism

Anne McElvoy talks to journalist Simon Heffer, curator Sonia Solicari, novelist DJ Taylor and Prof Anthony King.

Anne McElvoy looks back to the Victorian age with Simon Heffer who argues it laid the foundations for modern society, from the evolution of British democracy, to new attitudes to education, religion and science. Professor of British Government, Anthony King, considers if the blunders of today's parliamentarians has anything on the antics of Gladstone and Disraeli. But the writer DJ Taylor believes it's the era's novels which have left a lasting impression. And the curator Sonia Solicari has created a miscellany of curiosities in her exhibition of contemporary artists influenced and inspired by Victoriana.

Producer: Katy Hickman.

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43 minutes

Last on

Mon 7 Oct 2013 21:30

Simon Heffer

Simon Heffer is a journalist, columnist and writer.

High Minds: The Victorians and the Birth of Modern Britain is published by Random House.

D J Taylor

D J Taylor is a critic, novelist and biographer.

The Windsor Faction is published by Chatto & Windus.

Sonia Solicari

Sonia Solicari is Principal Curator of Guildhall Art Gallery.

Victoriana: The Art of Revival is at the Guildhall Art Gallery, London until Sunday 8 December.

Anthony King

Anthony King is Millennium Professor of British Government at the University of Essex.

The Blunders of our Governments, co-written with Ivor Crewe, is published by Oneworld Publications.

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Anne McElvoy
Interviewed Guest Simon Heffer
Interviewed Guest Sonia Solicari
Interviewed Guest DJ Taylor
Interviewed Guest Anthony King
Producer Katy Hickman

Broadcasts

  • Mon 7 Oct 2013 09:00
  • Mon 7 Oct 2013 21:30

Podcast