Authors of "The Midnight Charter" and "The Marlowe Papers" visit Stonyhurst
The English Department has had a packed programme of speakers this year. The last two Mondays have seen visits from David Whitley, an award-winning teen author who is currently making waves in America with his new fantasy series, "The Midnight Charter" and Ros Barber, author of the controversial new book, "The Marlowe Papers".
David is a charismatic speaker and his talk to Grammar and Lower Grammar English fans was highly entertaining; the Q&A session with the students produced some lengthy discussion which eventually had to be brought to an end by Mr Smith to allow the speaker to get home!
Ros was on her way to be interviewed by the BBC in Manchester. She spoke mainly to Higher Line students about her new book, which is written entirely in iambic pentameter and in the voice of Christopher Marlowe. The book begins with the premise that Marlowe's apparent death in a London tavern in 1593 was faked. Again, the talk inspired a huge amount of discussion with students, teachers and other visitors. The book is in pre-publication and Stonyhurst was the first venue to be offered signed copies from the author. It was a real privilege to be there.
Mr Jonathan Smith
Head of English
Ros Barber with the Head of English