9th December 2014, Sir Brian Unwin: “A Tale in Two Cities: the lives of Fanny Burney & Adele Comtesse de Boigne”, Brussels

The President and Committee of the Oxford Society of Belgium are pleased to announce that Sir Brian Unwin, who gave us a very interesting talk at the beginning of this year on Napoleon's exile in St Helena, has kindly agreed to return to speak about the lives of Fanny Burney, the innovative British writer who influenced Jane Austen and W. M. Thackeray, and Adèle, Comtesse de Boigne, the chronicler of society in post-revolutionary France and centre of a brilliant intellectual circle. These two women, whose lives were both lived partly in England and partly in France, are the subjects of his recent book, A Tale in Two Cities.  Timm Rentrop, the President of the Society, is pleased to open his doors to us, so the talk will be followed by a convivial light supper with the possibility of a few pre-Christmas treats.

Brian Unwin studied at Oxford and Yale, and is an Honorary Fellow of New College. After a career in the civil service in Whitehall he became President of the European Investment Bank. He has a longstanding interest in the Napoleonic period, and this fascinating book, of which copies will be available, is the product of his researches.

Details are as follows:

Time: Tuesday 9th December from 7.00 p.m.

Place: Avenue Richard Neybergh 106, 1020 Brussels (map with directions attached).  Metro Line 6, Trams 93 and 62, Buses 49, 53, 88 and 89 and SNCB trains stop in Place Bockstael, coming from town on metro 6 it is also possible to get off at stop Pannenhuis.  On-street parking is free but not easy, the best place to try is also Place Bockstael.

Schedule: 7.00 - welcome with drinks and nibbles.  7.45 - talk followed by discussion.  9.00 (approx) - light supper (optional).  Attendance at the pre-talk drinks and the talk is free for paid-up members plus one guest/partner, €5 for others, participation of the supper is €10 per head.  Please note that although we will take payment on the day you must register by Thursday 4th December for the supper to allow us to make catering arrrangements. We may have to limit the number of supper places, so please keep us informed if you change your plans.  To register please use the following link: http://goo.gl/forms/SJbtvjJR9l