"Unwrapping the Past: Why were the Victorians Obsessed with Egypt?"

"Unwrapping the Past: Why were the Egyptians Obsessed with Egypt?"
With Dr Jay Sullivan 

Details:

Long before Boris Karloff shuffled onto the silver screenor Brendan Fraser battled ancient curses, Victorian society was already deeply terrified and entirely obsessed with ancient Egypt. So, how did people get scared by mummies before Hollywood?

The answer lies in a 40-year literary craze now known as the "Egyptian Gothic." At the end of the nineteenth century, readers were feverishly consuming novels about ancient revenants returning from the dead to seek revenge, cursed jewelry, shape-shifting beetles, and nightmarish museums. Fueled by a blend of colonial guilt and a lust for conquest, this unstoppable trend of mummy fiction was originally far more popular than vampire stories.

But the truth of the era was often stranger than fiction. Away from the page, Victorian "Egyptomania" produced some truly wild real-world practices. In this talk, historian and author Dr. Jay Sullivan takes you through the bizarre history of this obsession, from the use of the mummy as medicine through to the explosion of Tutmania.

Discover a time when the wealthy hosted exclusive "mummy unwrapping parties" and casual Thomas Cook tourists opted to bring stolen limbs and human heads back as souvenirs. We will explore the magical secret cults that formed in the reading rooms of the British Museum, and uncover the truth behind the mummy's curse.

Along the way, Dr. Sullivan will answer some of the strangest questions of the 19th century:What was actually in "mummy brown" paint?Who kept a secret stash of mummy penises?And did a cursed mummy really sink the Titanic?

Dr. Jay Sullivan is a London-based historian, author, and public speaker. She holds a PhD from the University of Roehampton and is the author of the 2025 book, Egyptian Gothic. Known for her engaging approach to the past, Dr. Sullivan is a regular media contributor, having shared her expertise on major broadcasting platforms including the BBC and History Hit.

Venue:
Effra Social, 89 Effra Road SW2 1DF

Event Running Time:
(We recommend arriving at 6:30pm if you're eating, and 7pm if drinks only)
Doors from 7pm
Introduction: 7:25pm
Lecture: 7:30pm
Q&A: 8:10pm
Finish: 8:30pm

FAQs:

What is Pints of Knowledge?

Pints of Knowledge is a series of public talks where experts, researchers, and big thinkers share fascinating ideas all in the relaxed setting of a pub. We bring brilliant minds and curious audiences together over a pint, covering topics from science and politics to history, art, and beyond.

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At each Pints of Knowledge event, you’ll hear engaging talks (approx. 40 minutes) from expert speakers on fascinating topics — followed by an audience Q&A (approx. 20 minutes). The vibe is informal and social, set in a pub where you can grab a drink, meet interesting people, and enjoy big ideas in a relaxed setting.

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