Call for Papers
27 March 2026 at Downing College, Cambridge
This international academic conference will explore the impact and legacy of Sir John Vanbrugh. The event marks the tercentenary of Vanbrugh’s death in March 1726 and forms part of the Vanbrugh300 festival for 2026, organised by The Georgian Group, the conservation organisation founded in 1937 to protect and promote Georgian buildings.
We invite submissions for an upcoming interdisciplinary conference dedicated to exploring the life, works, and enduring influence of Sir John Vanbrugh (1664–1726)—playwright, architect, soldier, and vigorous letter writer. Best known for designing Blenheim Palace and Castle Howard, as well as for his Restoration-era comedies such as The Relapse and The Provok’d Wife, Vanbrugh remains a complex figure whose contributions have shaped both the theatrical and architectural landscapes of early modern Britain.
This conference, co-organised by The Georgian Group and and the Centre for the Study of Classical Architecture (CSCA) at the University of Cambridge, seeks to reassess Vanbrugh’s multifaceted legacy from fresh, interdisciplinary perspectives. We welcome proposals from scholars in architecture, literature, theatre studies, history, and related disciplines.
Topics of interest may include, but are not limited to:
• Vanbrugh’s architectural innovations and collaborations with architects (notably with Nicholas Hawksmoor), artisans, and craftspeople;
• His dramatic works within the context of Restoration and early 18th-century theatre;
• Political and cultural dimensions of his public service and satire;
• The reception and reinterpretation of his work over time.
To submit a proposal: Papers should be original and include unpublished research to be delivered in focussed 20-minute presentations.
To submit a paper proposal, please email vanbrugh300@georgiangroup.org.uk with an abstract of no more than 250 words, proposed title, and brief bio by Friday, 19 September 2025. It is intended to publish proceedings.