Victoria C. Roskams specializes in literature and music as a reader, researcher, and practitioner. As an academic, Roskams's interests span the long nineteenth century and all sorts of interactions between all of the arts, especially in movements such as Romanticism, aestheticism, and decadence. A long-term obsession has been Oscar Wilde, his disciples, his imitators, and his antagonists. As a creative writer, Roskams is especially interested in uncanny encounters with the arts, strange or queer artists, and haunting afterlives. As a musician, Roskams is primarily interested in the eclectic.
Education
DPhil English — University of Oxford, 2023
MA English Literary Studies — University of York, 2018
BA English — University of Bristol, 2016
Areas of Expertise
Why Vampires Conquered the Novel and Beyond
Not just Dracula: there were fictional vampires before Bram Stoker's, and they've only grown in popularity since. Why are we fascinated by these blood-sucking creatures?
The Stormy Romance of Frédéric Chopin and George Sand
The decade-long relationship between the composer Chopin and the author Sand, though unlikely, was a testament to the Romantic belief in the virtues of genius.
Why the Doppelgänger Remains Gothic Literature’s Most Haunting Figure
A recurring figure in Gothic fiction, the doppelgänger or double appears in many forms, but is it benevolent or malevolent?
How Henry James Became the American Giant of English Literature
The life of Henry James, who left America for a cosmopolitan life in Europe before settling in England and contributing multiple masterpieces to its literature.
5 Must-Read Works by ETA Hoffmann
Best remembered for the story that gave us the ballet The Nutcracker, ETA Hoffmann wrote many uncanny, supernatural tales. Here are five of them.
The Fascinating Story of the Gesamtkunstwerk and Its Influence on Modern Art
An ancient Greek ideal with a German name, the Gesamtkunstwerk's influence stretched from Wagner's operas to the foundations of modern art.
13 Important Irish Writers You Need to Know
Discover thirteen writers who hail from Ireland, beyond the ones you may already have heard of.
The True Meaning of Frankenstein and Why the Story Is More Relevant Than Ever
Discover the enduring genius of Mary Shelley's great work of proto-science fiction: Frankenstein.
6 Famous Composers Who Changed the History of Music
Know your Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven already? Read about some other composers whose lives and works changed the course of music history.
Faust’s Devil’s Bargain That Haunted Writers From Goethe to Mann
Explore how Faust’s pact with the Devil for infinite knowledge turned into a literary cornerstone, influencing major authors like Goethe, Wilde, and Mann.
The Life and Genius of Mary Shelley, the Literary Giant Who Wrote Frankenstein
Discover the life, legend, and literature of one of the Romantic era's greatest authors, Frankenstein creator Mary Shelley.
The Tortured Genius of ETA Hoffmann Who Turned Personal Failure Into Literary Masterpieces
A key figure in Romanticism, ETA Hoffmann is best remembered for his uncanny stories—but he was also a major player in music history.