The first part of the lecture will focus on the curious miniature coffins that were found on Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh in the early nineteenth century.
Each of these miniature coffins contains a tiny crafted doll. They still remain a mystery, however, Louise Fenton will offer the various theories that surround these intriguing objects that are on display in the National Museums Scotland, and offer her own thoughts. The second part of the lecture will examine the cursed and haunted dolls that have been abandoned and collected within Greyfriars Kirkyard by City of the Dead tours. Louise has had access to work up close with these dolls and she will share her research to date, telling tales of arson, harm and hauntings. This is a fully illustrated lecture.
Dr Louise Fenton is a senior lecturer at the University of Wolverhampton and a cultural and social historian. She teaches contextual studies in the School of Art and supervises PhD students; she is also an artist and illustrator and uses drawing within her research. Her interest in New Orleans Voodoo began when studying for her PhD which she was awarded from the University of Warwick in 2010. Most recently Louise has appeared on the BBC Radio 4 programme, ‘Beyond Belief’ and is a consultant on a new drama for BBC 3. Her research covers Haitian Vodou, New Orleans Voodoo and Witchcraft, especially curses and cursed objects.
