Hugh Epstein Talk

18 March 2025

Over 40 A Level English students had the opportunity to hear from Hugh Epstein, President of the Joseph Conrad Society, in an engaging and insightful talk. The discussion focused on Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, a key text studied alongside Sam Selvon’s post colonial and windrush-era tale The Lonely Londoners as part of the A Level curriculum. Speaking without notes and with great enthusiasm, Epstein delved into the complexities of Conrad’s life and literary works. He traced the author’s extraordinary journey—from his early years in Russian-occupied Poland, to time spent in France, a career at sea, and ultimately, his life as a writer in London.

The Joseph Conrad Society, which Epstein leads, is based at the Polish Social and Cultural Association (POSK) on King Street, directly opposite Latymer Upper School. The event provided students with valuable insights into Conrad’s literary legacy and the broader historical and cultural contexts of his work.