The Wreck of the Medusa

Program Details

The subject of this talk will be the most famous sea disaster of the 19th century – the sinking of the French frigate Medusa. The terrible suffering, resort to cannibalism and nearly 140 deaths on a raft left to drift after an incompetent captain ran his ship aground off the coast of West Africa ultimately contributed to the overthrow of the Bourbon monarchy and inspired Théodore Géricault to paint his masterpiece, which still hangs in the Louvre Museum, ensuring that the tragedy will not be forgotten. FEE: Free for Patrons SCHEDULE: Thursday, January 23 from 10:00 to 11:00 AM FORMAT: This is an online event. A link will be emailed to participants one day before the event. PRESENTER Frank Nicholson has a PhD in history from the University of Toronto and has been active in later life learning since retiring ten years ago. He’s delivered two dozen history courses, the most recent one being Leading Lights of 19th-Century France, for the University of the Third Age in Cambridge, England, for which this lecture was prepared.