B.S.Johnson, his Contemporaries,
and the British Literary-Cultural Scene 1949–1979

An International Conference jointly organized by the British Library, the BCCW, the Institute of English Studies, and the UK Network for Modern Fiction Studies

Context and Themes: Bryan Stanley William Johnson (1933-1973) was both renowned and contentious among writers emerging in the 1960s. Variously a novelist, dramatist, trades union journalist, poetry editor, poet, film and television programme maker, this 1960s Renaissance man has been the subject of Jonathan Coe's award-winning biography, Like a Fiery Elephant (Picador, 2004). Three Johnson novels have been recently republished, and a feature film, Christie Malry's Own Double-Entry (2002) released starring Nick Moran. The British Library's acquisition in 2008 of the archive of B.S. Johnson will provide a rich resource for re-interrogation of Johnson's life and work.

With this second international conference on B. S. Johnson the organizers wish to acknowledge publicly the acquisition of the B. S. Johnson archive by the British Library, an event all BSJ scholars and aficionados will wish to celebrate, an opportunity for new lines of inquiry. The archive will allow others, including scrutiny of early relationships, and further contextualize Johnson's tragic quest for textual truth.

The British Library is at the heart of the many areas of London that featured in Johnson's work, centering many of his adult experiences, and is thus an appropriate depository for his literary archive. It is likely that people from Johnson's own circle will participate alongside many of the leading scholars in various associated fields. The event offers a timely opportunity to discuss the belated establishment of a B.S. Johnson Society for those passionate about his work and committed to its continued critical and aesthetic presence.

Conference Fees, including buffet lunch and refreshments, are:
f/t academics, and public £30;
p/t academics £25:00;
retirees, on benefits, or p/g students £20:00.
Sterling cheques and/or money orders only sent by post—with name, email address and postal address appended—made out to ‘London Network for Modern Fiction Studies' to:

Jamie Andrews, Head of Modern Literary Manuscripts, British Library, 96 Euston Road, London, NW1 2DB, United Kingdom.

Online booking is also now available on the British Library's website.

Please also include current affiliation if applicable.

Location & Travel: The BL Conference Centre is next to King's Cross/St. Pancras mainline & tube stations, also; direct access by tube from Heathrow, Gatwick, and Luton airports. See http://www.bl.uk/aboutus/quickinfo/loc/stp/index.html for more information.

Please also note that the conference will be followed by a free screening of the rarely seen 2000 adaptation of Johnson's novel Christie Malry's Own Double-Entry , starring Nick Moran, and introduced by the director Paul Tickell. Delegates will automatically be reserved a place for the screening, and further free tickets are available on the British Library's website.