Iris Murdoch's Lost Poems to Debut at Oxford Festival

Previously unpublished poems by novelist and philosopher Dame Iris Murdoch will be read publicly for the first time at Oxford Brookes University's Think Human festival from 15-18 April. The poems were discovered in the attic of Murdoch's house at 30 Charlbury Road in Oxford by the Iris Murdoch Society. Actress Annette Badland will perform readings, including a love poem Murdoch wrote about fellow philosopher Elizabeth Anscombe. Emeritus Professor Gary Browning will lead a discussion titled 'Oxford Quartet: Women Philosophers Against the Tide' on 17 April, focusing on Murdoch, Anscombe, Philippa Foot, and Mary Midgley—all Oxford undergraduates in the 1930s. Browning noted Anscombe's solitary opposition to Oxford University granting an honorary degree to Harry Truman after World War II. The poems have been published in a collection called 'Poems from an Attic,' which also features a poem about Murdoch's husband, historian Michael Foot. Browning revealed Murdoch left a note on her manuscript 'Jerusalem' stating 'Not for Publication, Ever.' Festival director Professor Katharine Craik emphasized the event's open atmosphere and community focus, with additional programming on motherhood, new Labour's legacy, grassroots football, and a commemoration of 19th-century African-American figure Harriet Jacobs. A school day event on Friday aims to enrich A-level preparation and broaden humanities knowledge. The festival is free and seeks to connect academics with the local community.