The Milton Lecture: Lessons in free speech from John Milton
Audience: Public Format: In Person
400 years on, Milton’s questions on liberty and expression remain urgent. McDowell explores their relevance and balance.
Friday, 29 May 2026, 5.30pm to 6.30pm
The Milton Lecture
Nearly 400 years after John Milton posed them, questions about liberty of thought and expression are more urgent than ever. Professor Nicholas McDowell explores their enduring relevance and the ongoing struggle to balance truth, tolerance, and authority in public life.
About the speaker:
Nicholas McDowell is Professor of Early Modern Literature and Thought at the University of Exeter. His work examines how writers respond to historical change through literary innovation. His books include The Oxford Handbook of Milton and the award-winning Poet of Revolution: The Making of John Milton.
Series: Mansfield Public Talks
Department: Mansfield College (College)
Organiser: Mansfield College
Host: Mansfield College
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1986205598412?aff=oddtdtcreator