The History of Ghosts & the Occult in Fiction and Film

Why do tales of the uncanny and the supernatural cast such a spell over us? Why do they still resonate with us today? These tales tap into the 200 years of Gothic tradition, epitomised by such works as Frankenstein, Dracula, and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. 

In this talk, Professor Marisa Linton traces the history of ghosts and the occult in fiction and film in the British Isles. She explores recurring characters such as the ghost hunter and the occult detective, and examines the lure of the psychological ghost story. She investigates fictionalised occult magicians, who were often inspired by real life self-proclaimed ‘magicians’ like Aleister Crowley. Many of these tales have since been reimagined in films and TV, from The Devil Rides Out to the BBC Christmas Ghost Stories. 

Doors open at 7pm, talk starts at 7:30pm - come down early to grab a good seat!

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Speaker Bio:

Prof Marisa Linton is a historian, writer and Professor Emerita of History at Kingston University, where she taught the history of folklore, belief in magic, the history of women, and the history of European witch-hunts. She is internationally recognised as a leading authority on the French Revolution, the European Enlightenment and the history of women in France.

Alongside her academic career, she has delivered numerous public talks, appeared on TV and radio, and served as a historical adviser for TV. Today, she also writes fantasy novels that draw on her love for ancient Celtic Britain, folklore and belief in magic, ghost stories and the supernatural.

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