Eighteenth-Century Revival Poetry and Its Uses

*** Rescheduled from June 7 ***

In this lunchtime talk, NERFC fellow Professor Wendy Roberts will present some of the evangelical poetry in manuscript housed at the Connecticut Historical Society and address the various uses of such verse in revival networks. Though literary scholars and historians of religion have prioritized sermons, conversion narratives, periodicals, and more recently hymnody, it was poetry that, in the words of the New Light cleric Samuel Davies, had the unique capacity to “diffuse celestial Fervor through the World.” Professor Robert’s work demonstrates how evangelical poetry was central to the new nation’s literary history.

We will provide coffee and dessert; bring your lunch to enjoy during the talk. Please RSVP by calling (860) 236-5621 x238 or emailing [email protected]. Free for members, free with admission for non-members.

Questions? Contact Natalie Belanger, Adult Programs Manager, at [email protected].

About the Speaker

Wendy Roberts is an Assistant Professor of English at University at Albany, SUNY. She holds a Ph.D. in English from Northwestern University.

Image: Congregational Church in Darien by John Warner Barber, c. 1836, CHS 1953.5.67