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Aphra Behn

From spy to professional playwright, a large research project is shedding new light on Aphra Behn's career. Claire Bowditch, Tom Charlton and Annalisa Nicholson compare notes.

From spy to one of the first professional woman writers in Britain - Aphra Behn was a prolific playwright, poet, translator and fiction writer in the Restoration period. Claire Bowditch has spent years comparing different printed versions of her dramas to work out what were printer errors and how involved was Aphra Behn in the printing process. Annalisa Nicholson is researching a French salon in London created by the French noblewoman Hortense Mancini - whom Behn dedicated a play to. Is this evidence of a relationship between them? Tom Charlton looks at the politics of the period and Behn's loyalty to the Stuart crown. John Gallagher hosts the conversation.

Producer: Ruth Watts

Available now

44 minutes

Last on

Thu 7 Jan 2021 22:00

Broadcast

  • Thu 7 Jan 2021 22:00

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The Arts & Ideas Podcast

The Arts & Ideas Podcast

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