Science, Medicine and Culture in the 19th Century: Medical Authority, (pseudo)Science and the Explained Supernatural in Late Victorian Female Gothic Fiction

Mary Elizabeth Braddon’s short story ‘Good Lady Ducayne’ and Florence Marryat’s novel The Blood of the Vampire were published at much the same time as Bram Stoker’s best-selling Dracula. But these “vampire” stories do not feature the kind of blood-sucking fiend we may expect. Instead they offer alternative visions of vampirism which lead to a questioning of “expert” medical authority, doctor-patient power relations, and the efficacy of modern medical science.

Drinks will be served after the seminar. All welcome, no booking is required.

Please contact Alyson Slade for further information at alyson.slade@ell.ox.ac.uk

This seminar is organised as part of the Faculty of English, Diseases of Modern Life 19th Century Perspectives Project.