Royal Family

Andrew Lownie talks to Susannah Jowitt

Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York
Oxford University Mathematical Institute: Lecture Theatre 2 12:00pm Sun 22 Sunday, 22 March 2026 See this event
Justine Picardie talks to Helen Taylor

Fashioning the Crown: A Story of Power, Conflict and Couture
Department for Continuing Education: Lecture Theatre 2:00pm Wed 25 Wednesday, 25 March 2026 See this event
Louisa Treger and Laura Enston chaired by David Isaac

A Fatal Love: the extraordinary story of the last woman to be hanged in Britain
Worcester College: Provost’s Lodgings 6:00pm Wed Sep 23 Wednesday, 23 September 2026 See this event

Festival information:

I came away buzzing and reassured that we still have in this century a wide ranging community fascinated not just by famous authors but by challenging ideas and questions.

The Oxford Literary Festival is intellectual Viagra.

A stimulating and rewarding on-stage conversation . . . the best day I have enjoyed at any festival – anywhere.

Often as an author, I only occasionally get to meet the public who buy and read my books. The Oxford Literary Festival was a special opportunity for me and certainly one of the highlights of my career – it was an honour I will never forget.

The Oxford Literary Festival has in my mind become the leading literary festival of the year. The organisation, the roster of speakers, the ambience and the sheer quality of it all is superb.

I loved the whole atmosphere of the Oxford Literary Festival. I felt I had arrived in a kind of literary heaven.

The night in Oxford was the most beautiful event I have ever done. Not just the spectacular setting (of the Sheldonian), but an unforgettable evening.