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Octavia Hill Lecture
The annual Octavia Hill Lecture is an opportunity for respected voices and commentators to lead us in reflecting on nature, beauty and history. This year’s lecture was with guest speaker Professor Mary Beard. After the lecture, Professor Beard held a conversation with Gus Casely-Hayford.
What are the Octavia Hill Lectures?
Octavia Hill Lectures were created to allow time and space to reflect on our impact as a charity in the modern day.
They're named after one of our three co-founders and allow us to explore our shared past and place in the world today. These lectures are an opportunity to connect with leading thinkers and public audiences through meaningful discussions.
A respected voice or commentator delivers the lecture, reflecting on nature, beauty and history through the lens of the places and objects in our care. We invite guest speakers to propose topics that they feel are relevant to their experience and perspective.
Watch the 2024 lecture
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Video
Who owns the past? By Professor Mary Beard
Watch the Octavia Hill Lecture in collaboration with Times Radio. Join guest speaker Professor Mary Beard (classicist, historian, author and broadcaster) as she examines what the past is for, how we can learn from and challenge it, and how we can bring it alive. Throughout her lecture, Professor Beard considers the issues of authenticity and ownership.
Trust houses should be exciting, even dangerous, places where we can all confront not just the past, but also ourselves.
A quote by Professor Mary Beard Historian and classicist
In conversation with Gus Casley-Hayford
After the lecture, Professor Beard was in conversation with Gus Casley-Hayford, Director of V&A East. Following their talk, they opened the floor to the audience who had the opportunity to ask questions. Details on how to watch Professor Beard and Gus Casley-Hayford's conversation will be available soon.
Further reading
Our partners
We’re working in collaboration with Times Radio to bring history to everyone. Times Radio provides intelligent and thought-provoking live coverage of news, politics and culture. Together, we’ll debate and explore the shared past and our place in the world today.
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Octavia Hill Lecture 2023
Watch the inaugural Octavia Hill Lecture in collaboration with Times Radio. Join guest speaker Neil MacGregor (writer, broadcaster, historian and former director of the British Museum and National Gallery) as he reflects on our national history and culture through the lens of places and objects in our care.
Times Radio panel discussion and Q&A 2023
Explore the topics covered in the lecture with Times Radio presenter Aasmah Mir as she chairs the panel discussion and Q&A with the audience. The panellists joining Neil MacGregor include historian and television presenter Dan Snow MBE, Times journalist and best-selling author Sathnam Sanghera, and historian, author and broadcaster Professor Suzannah Lipscomb.