‘Alas, Poor Yorick!’: A Sterne 250-year Conference (18-21 March 2018) will celebrate the sestercentennary of two major events: the publication of A Sentimental Journey in 1768 and the death of its author, Laurence Sterne (1713-68). It will also encompass a wide array of topics that speak to Sterne’s contemporary impact and to his lasting legacy.

Confirmed keynote speakers include Peter de Voogd (Utrecht), Freya Johnston (Oxford), and Jon Mee (York). There will also be a host of less formal events, including talks from Claude Rawson (Yale), Patrick Wildgust (Laurence Sterne Trust at Shandy Hall), and Martin Rowson (The Guardian).

The organisers welcome abstracts of 200-250 words for 20-minute papers addressing any of the following themes, or any other areas of interest that fall within the conference’s overall aim and scope:
– A Sentimental Journey: major themes (e.g. sentimentalism, travel writing), bibliography, publication, advertisement, adaptation, reception (British and continental), illustration.
– Sterne’s death.
– Sterne’s cultural legacy, within and beyond the eighteenth century.
– Sterne’s other works, including letters, sermons, and miscellaneous writings.

Closing date: 20 December 2017

Please email proposals to sterne2018@gmail.com with the subject header ‘Paper Abstract’.