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The secrets of John le Carré’s archive
Join writer Adam Sisman in conversation with Bodley’s Librarian, Richard Ovenden, as they explore the secrets of John le Carré’s archive. As le Carré’s biographer, Sisman spent four years researching the author, navigating his unsorted archive and engaging in revealing discussions, often surprising Le Carré with his discoveries. The archive spans le Carré’s childhood, National Service, Oxford years—where he spied for MI5—and his early intelligence and writing careers. It also includes drafts of his novels, showcasing his meticulous writing process. Richard Ovenden, who worked with the author and his family over the bequest, discusses its significance and its journey to the Bodleian.
Richard Ovenden OBE, Hon FBA is the 25th Bodley’s Librarian and the Helen Hamlyn Director of the University Libraries, and Head of Gardens, Libraries and Museums at the University of Oxford. He is also the author of Burning the Books: A History of Knowledge Under Attack.
Adam Sisman FRSL is a writer specialising in biography, who has written the lives of AJP Taylor, Hugh Trevor-Roper, Asa Briggs and John le Carré. His second book, Boswell’s Presumptuous Task, won a National Books Critics Circle award. In 2019 he published The Professor and the Parson: A Story of Desire, Deceit and Defrocking. He is an Honorary Professor at the University of St Andrews.
Date:
20 February 2026, 15:30
Venue:
Weston Library, Broad Street OX1 3BG
Venue Details:
Sir Victor Blank Lecture Theatre at the Weston Library, or on Zoom
Speakers:
Richard Ovenden (Bodley's Librarian and Helen Hamlyn Director of the University Libraries, and Head of Gardens and Museums at the University of Oxford),
Adam Sisman (Honorary Professor at the University of St Andrews)
Organiser:
Bodleian Public Engagement Team
Organiser contact email address:
publicengagement@bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Hosts:
Bodleian Public Engagement Team,
Federico Varese (University of Oxford)
Part of:
John le Carré talks
Booking required?:
Required
Booking url:
https://visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/event/lecarre
Cost:
£5
Audience:
Public
Editor:
Hayleigh Jutson
