University of Reading Fairbrother Lecture: The Making of a Hero
THE MAKING OF A HERO – MEMORY AND MYTH IN ANTARCTIC EXPLORATION University of Reading Fairbrother Lecture 18:00, Tuesday 29 April 2025 (doors open 17:45) OVERVIEW In 1912 a group of explorers returning from the South Pole huddled together in their tent. Suffering the effects of scurvy, frostbite and exposure, one of the men turned to his companions and said, ‘I am just going outside and may be some time’. Moments later he walked out into a blizzard and was never seen again. These were the words of Captain Lawrence Oates, who is remembered today, alongside Scott and Shackleton, as one of the early explorers of the Heroic Age of Antarctic exploration. Through their bravery and endurance in the icy continent, these figures create a myth of individual heroism that overshadows the diverse network of people whose knowledge, labour and skills made such feats of exploration possible. From the working class shipbuilders of Dundee to the indigenous peoples of the Arctic whose knowledge of survival in extreme cold was called upon for use on a brand new continent, prepare to meet a cast of actors spanning, literally, pole to pole. Through her work on the anthropology of heritage and her study of museum collections related to the Heroic Age of Antarctic exploration, doctoral researcher Henrietta Hammant will explore who – and what – impacts the way that we think about historic explorers and how our understanding of heroes can change over time. Arrival time – Booking is free and guarantees your seat until 18:00. After that, any unclaimed seats may be re-allocated to walk-ins. Reception and PhD displays Following the lecture there will be a short drinks reception in the Reading Biscuit Factory café with displays of work from other doctoral researchers. About the Fairbrother Lecture The Fairbrother Lecture is a University public lecture named after Jack Fairbrother who, in 1929, became one of the first students to be awarded a PhD from the University. The lecture is an annual event at which a Reading doctoral researcher presents their research to a wider audience. Images: (Left) ‘A Very Gallant Man’ – Capt. Oates. Painting by John Charles Dollman, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons, (Top) Terra Nova Expedition led by Robert Falcon Scott, photo by Herbert PontingLive EventPT1H30M2025-04-29University of Reading Fairbrother Lecture: The Making of a Hero"University of Reading Fairbrother Lecture: The Making of a Hero"Showtimes
April 29, 6:00 pm
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