Reading romantic poetry as one of Cook’s people

Professor Hessell discusses how the poetry of William Wordsworth can help us understand the intellectual worlds of early Pākehā settlers

The Romantic period of British literary history almost exactly maps onto the early years of Pākehā arrival in Aotearoa, yet we don’t usually consider the influence of Romantic writing on this country’s past, present, and future.

Professor Nikki Hessell is from the School of English, Film, Theatre, Media and Communication, and Art History. In this inaugural professorial lecture she discusses the way the poetry of William Wordsworth can help us understand the intellectual worlds of early Pākehā settlers and the continuing importance of Romantic literature for life in 21st-century Aotearoa.

Nikki Hessell, flanked by Nic Smith and Sarah Leggott. All three are wearing academic robes and standing in front of a large wooden door.
Inaugural lecture (left to right): Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nic Smith, Professor Nikki Hessell, and Dean of the Wellington Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Professor Sarah Leggott.

Our public lecture series gives you the opportunity to engage with the latest thinking on the world’s major issues. To stay informed of upcoming public events and lectures at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, sign up to the public lecture mailing list.