Julia Smith, general editor of the Oxford Traherne, will be speaking at the annual Traherne Festival at Credenhill on Saturday 6 June 2026, on 'How to look at an insect: Traherne and the smallest life in all nature'.
Traherne was fascinated by insects, and some of his finest writing is found in his sensitive descriptions of ants, and 'Curious & High stomachd Flies'. This talk will discuss how, carefully considered, Traherne's insects not only provide us with 'a clear Mirror of Almighty Power', but also offer a window into Traherne's views on the relationship of humans to the rest of creation, on ethics, the new science, the social hierarchy, politics, and geography.
This event has now taken place, but there is a video recording of the talk here.
