University celebrates 400th anniversary of Bible

BBC Two religious presenter Diarmaid MacCulloch is one of five guest speakers marking the 400th anniversary of the King James version of the Bible, with Peninsula Arts at the University of Plymouth. Throughout March, eminent professors will be looking at a variety of topics about the Bible from banned scriptures to how the Bible became literature. The King James Bible History Series has been organised in partnership with the University of Plymouth’s History Department, the Multifaith Chaplaincy and the Plymouth Historical Association. University of Plymouth Subject Leader in History Elizabeth Tingle said: “The production of the Authorised King James Bible in 1611 was enormously important in British history and for the English language and there are currently many national celebrations of the 400th anniversary of the event. “We are delighted to welcome such distinguished scholars to speak on the subject, to encourage and inspire our staff, students and members of the public to learn more about history. The programme starts on 2 March 2011 with a talk about the earliest English Bible translation, led by University of Oxford Professor Anne Hudson. On 10th March Professor Alec Ryrie from Durham University will be looking at Henry VIII’s authorised version: Making the 1539 Great Bible’.