RSL Remembers: Fleur Adcock (RSL Members and Fellows)

Booking for RSL Members and Fellows. To purchase public tickets or if you are a London Library Member, please book here. 

Wednesday 19 February, 6:30pm, The London Library. Free for RSL Members and Fellows and London Library Members. Public tickets can be purchased for £5. 

Fleur Adcock’s work defined a new tone in 20th century poetry. Her writing was, and remains, beloved by poets, teachers and a wide range of readers, who value her incisive wit, beautiful frankness and often surprising humour.

To quote Carol Ann Duffy’s description of Fleur Adcock’s poetry: “The sharper edge of her talent is encountered like a razor blade in a peach.”

She celebrated her 90th birthday with the release of an edition from Bloodaxe Books of her Collected Poems upon which she delighted audiences at select poetry festivals across the UK with a series of readings. We sadly lost Fleur a few months afterwards. For this event we will be marking her 91st birthday with a discussion about her work and legacy, interspersed with recordings of the poet reading her own work. The panel will include editor of Bloodaxe Books, Neil Astley, celebrated poet and contemporary, Wendy Cope, poet and poetry librarian Lorraine Mariner. The event will be chaired by Rachel Long.

Books by Fleur Adcock and the speakers will be available to buy at the event and online from our partner bookshop Hatchards.

NB This event will take place in person at The London Library. Doors (and the bar) will open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start. Please see The London Library's Event Access Guidelines before you arrive.

Presented in collaboration with The London Library.