The Adams Lecture 2025

Sally Shilton, the Newdegates and George Eliot

The subject of this year's Adams lecture is Sally Shilton, the wife of Reverend Bernard Gilpin Ebdell, and the inspiration for the character of Caterina in George Eliot's Mr Gilfil's Love Story.

 

Vivian Montgomery is an award winning harpsichordist and fortepianist on the Early Music Faculty of the Longy School of Music of Bard College. Vivian will talk about the 18th century musicians who taught Sally Shilton.

 

 

 

 

David Paterson taught history at King Edward VI College and is the author of several history books. He has contributed articles and features in the George Eliot Review and will talk on historical facts relating to Sally and how George Eliot integrated her into her story.

 

 

 

The day will conclude with selected readings taken from Mr Gilfil's Love Story.

We are grateful to the Nuneaton Historical Association (NHA) for their contribution towards this event.