"Nation of ShopKeepers" The British design and decorative arts galleries at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York highlight British entrepreneurism through furniture, silver, ceramics, tapestries, sculpture, and other artworks. In this talk, Wolf Burchard will provide a virtual tour, discuss the galleries' history, and share plans for future installations. Wolf Burchard, Curator of […]

Sponsored by the ESU Indianapolis Branch.Award-winning author, Dr. Andrew Levy, explores the historical and cultural context in which Mark Twain wrote “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” Levy delves into the social issues of Twain’s time, such as race relations, childhood, and the American identity, to provide a deeper understanding of the novel’s themes and its enduring relevance. […]

Central Florida ESU Branch presents Professor Jeremy Dibble. “Florida Influences on British Composer Fredrick Delius” The ESU Central Florida Branch hosts many prominent authors and scholars including ESU’s own Evelyn Wrench Lecture Series named after our founder. These renowned British and American speakers present programs on a wide range of  topics, including but not limited to, […]

Mark your calendars! From Saturday, April 26 to Monday, April 28, 2025, NSC Branch Champions from across the country will gather in New York City for an unforgettable weekend of inspiration, learning, and performance.The weekend will culminate with the Final Competition at Juilliard’s Stanley H. Kaplan Penthouse at Lincoln Center on Monday, April 28.The ESU is thrilled to bring together such extraordinary […]

We will meet for our annual meeting to celebrate our 2024-25 accomplishments and vote in a new board. Directly following these proceedings, Professor Melissa Ridley Elmes, Medieval Scholar will deliver an enchanting lecture on “Ethics and the Arthurian Legend.” 3:30 p.m. Refreshments 4:00 p.m. Brief Annual Meeting 4:10 p.m. Lecture

The English-Speaking Union In Partnership with Sea Cloud Cruises Presents2025 National Patron Tour Nelson on Shore and at Sea: A Life of the British AdmiralWith Author and Lecturer Flora FraserJuly 6-14, 2025Naples to MaltaSet sail on an extraordinary journey through history aboard the magnificent Sea Cloud Spirit, retracing the footsteps of one of Britain’s greatest […]

June, 1940—In the past two months, Nazi Germany has conquered Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France. Great Britain stands alone against the formidable German war machine. Now, Germany decides to bring Britain to its knees. In order to do that, Goering’s Luftwaffe must win air superiority over the English Channel and Southeast England. The […]

J.R.R. Tolkien was a towering figure in the world of twentieth-century English letters. His labors on Beowulf continue to shape the literary landscape, his work on the Oxford English Dictionary still serves, and his groundbreaking thoughts about the role and purpose of fairy stories gave focus to the thoughts of C.S. Lewis and other Inklings. […]

With wit, insight, and passion, Professor Loomis brings Shakespeare to life in ways that are both entertaining and inspiring. In this one-hour Zoom session, she will share strategies for engaging your students and providing rich historical context through her presentation, “Teenage Shakespeare.” This session will explore what life was like for teenagers in Shakespeare’s time, as well […]

ESU Members and guests are welcome to attend this fun evening full of the stories that have inspired the TLAB scholars our branch sent abroad. It's time to celebrate their summer adventures! Our Scholars: Alison Dimino (Boone High) Marlene Alguila (Lake Nona High School) Laurie McLeod (Evans High), Xan Kahn (Ocoee High) Amy Hughes (Odyssey […]

Co-Authors Dr. Robin Werner and her colleague, Dr. Elizabeth Lewis, will discuss their book titled Vampire Literature: An Anthology. Specifically, they will talk about the anthology’s inspiration and the challenges of the creation process. Vampire Literature: An Anthology is the first anthology designed specifically to introduce students and general readers to the history, theory, and […]

The Earl and Countess of Derby Invite the English-Speaking Union toA Magical Holiday Weekend at Knowsley HallPrescot, Merseyside L34 4AG EnglandNovember 20–23, 2025 Step into the enchantment of the holiday season with an exclusive invitation from the Earl and Countess of Derby to spend a luxurious weekend at historic Knowsley Hall, a magnificent estate nestled […]