Byron and Freedom: 16th International Student Byron Conference in Historic Messolonghi
The Messolonghi Byron Society and Byron Research Center invites student scholars to participate in their upcoming conference that brings together literary scholarship, historical commemoration, and the enduring legacy of freedom. The 16th International Student Byron Conference, taking place May 18-23, 2026, in Messolonghi, Greece, is dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the town's heroic 'Exodus' on April 10, 1826.
This conference offers student scholars a unique opportunity to contribute to Byron studies while participating in a meaningful historical commemoration. The combination of scholarly rigor and historical significance makes this an exceptional venue for emerging researchers in Romantic studies.
A Place of Historical Significance
Messolonghi holds profound importance in both Byron studies and Greek history. It was here that Lord Byron spent the final three months of his life before dying in April 1824, and where, two years later, the town's defenders made their legendary exodus during a year-long siege that became emblematic of the Greek struggle for independence. This double legacy—Byron's death and the town's destruction—marks a pivotal moment in both Romantic literature and the creation of modern Greece as Europe's first new nation state in the 19th century.
Conference Theme: "Byron and Freedom"
The conference explores the multifaceted meanings of freedom in Byron's work and life, the broader "Romantic Revolution," and the shaping of modern Greek history and culture. Student scholars are invited to submit proposals addressing the conference's central themes through diverse approaches. Potential topics include Byron's influence on international philhellenism and the Greek Revolution, his involvement with the Carbonari, questions of censorship and press freedom, his literary and political heirs, and visual, musical, and dramatic representations of Byronic freedom. The conference welcomes interdisciplinary perspectives that connect literary analysis with historical, political, and cultural contexts.
An International Tradition
This marks the 16th iteration of the International Student Byron Conference, building on a distinguished tradition of bringing emerging scholars together in the very location where Byron lived and died. The conference offers students an unparalleled opportunity to engage with Byron studies while experiencing the historical and cultural landscape that shaped his final months.
Application Details
Proposals should be submitted by January 22, 2026, to Professor Roderick Beaton (rod.beaton@kcl.ac.uk), Professor Peter Graham (peterwgraham@gmail.com), and Professor Andrew Stauffer (amstauff@gmail.com), with a copy to Mrs. Rodanthi-Rosa Florou (byronlib@gmail.com). For detailed information about previous conferences and the rich scholarly tradition they represent, visit the Messolonghi Byron Society's website at www.messolonghibyronsociety.gr.
