“Sappho Was Right”: Gravestones and Afterlives

Schedule

Thu Feb 12 2026 at 06:00 pm to 08:00 pm

UTC+00:00

Location

Augustine United Church | Edinburgh, SC

Advertisement
This hybrid talk will be presented by Dr Keava McMillan.
About this Event

About the Lecture

This lecture explores memorials by or for queer women who campaigned for suffrage in Scotland. Through reading lesbian suffragist grave markers as vehicles of posthumous agency, we can glean evidence of queerness haunting the process of self-memorialisation. Suffrage campaigners were skilled public historians. Through reading their grave markers as evidence of their visual literacy, we can see how queer suffragists harnessed the power of memorials as sites cementing historical narratives.



About the Speaker

This talk will be presented by Dr Keava McMillan.

Dr McMillan is a cultural historian specialising in modern queer art and histories. She is a Lecturer in Gender History at the University of Glasgow and works at Lavender Menace, a queer community archive in Edinburgh. She has a PhD in Visual Culture from the University of Aberdeen and has worked in heritage interpretation and engagement with places like the V&A Dundee, Historic Environment Scotland, and Rozelle House.



Format

This will be a hybrid event which will take place both in Augustine United Church and live-streamed online, with the recording uploaded to our YouTube channel shortly after the lecture. Please keep an eye on the Society website, e-newsletters and your email inbox for the latest news and further information on Society events.

The main lecture will be preceded by a short presentation on a related topic by an Early Career Researcher and followed by a Q&A. In-person attendees are also welcome to stay for a free drinks reception from approximately 7pm where you can discuss the lecture and other interests with the speaker, Society Fellows and other attendees.



Your Ticket

Booking is essential for members of the public and Fellows of the Society. If you have reserved a ticket and can no longer attend, please cancel your ticket via Eventbrite or contact [email protected] to allow someone else to take your place.


Event Photos

House Rules

The Society has a zero-tolerance policy on harassment and bullying.

All attendees are requested to act with respect to one another during this hybrid event.

Anyone making comments which we believe to be inappropriate (e.g. offensive or abusive) will be removed from the event immediately. Equivalent procedures (e.g. with regard to spam) will apply online.



Active and Sustainable Travel

To help to tackle climate change and decrease congestion and pollution from cars, the Society encourages you to walk, wheel, cycle or use public transport to travel to and from this event if possible.

Lothian Buses run services along George IV Bridge, Forrest Road and nearby South Bridge. There are also bicycle racks directly outside the venue.



Accessibility

Please note, the hearing loop facility at Augustine United Church is currently unavailable. We apologise for any inconvenience.

The main entrance to the church is up four steps with a handrail.

Step free access is available via a door to the right of the building - please ring the bell for attention. Please note there is a tight turn in this passageway.

A standard accessible toilet is available on the ground floor and on the lower level (accessible via lift).

Assistance dogs are allowed inside the venue.

If attending via Zoom, captions are included.

You can find further information on Accessibility here.



Support Us

The Society is grateful for our 2,600 Fellows across the globe whose support enables us to make these event free and open to all.

If you are interested in being part of this network and supporting a charity that has actively supported the study and enjoyment of Scotland’s past for over 240 years, visit our Join Us page for more information about the benefits of becoming a Fellow.

Want to keep up to date with our public-facing events and opportunities? Sign up to the Society's free public e-newsletter and receive monthly updates direct to your inbox.


Images: Postcard of the grave of Emily Wilding Davison, c.1913 and postcard of the grave of Evelina Haverfield, 1922 (both © London School of Economics)

Advertisement

Where is it happening?

Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Tickets

GBP 0.00 to GBP 15.00

Society of Antiquaries of Scotland

Host or Publisher Society of Antiquaries of Scotland

It's more fun with friends. Share with friends

Discover More Events in Edinburgh

Dita Von Teese at Edinburgh Playhouse
Fri, 13 Feb at 07:30 pm Dita Von Teese at Edinburgh Playhouse

Edinburgh Playhouse

TRIPS-ADVENTURES
Valentines Night at the Opera by Candlelight Feat. Nessun Dorma
Fri, 13 Feb at 08:00 pm Valentines Night at the Opera by Candlelight Feat. Nessun Dorma

St Giles Cathedral

CANDLELIGHT-CONCERTS CONCERTS
Valentines Night at the Opera by Candlelight (Feat. Nessun Dorma)
Fri, 13 Feb at 08:00 pm Valentines Night at the Opera by Candlelight (Feat. Nessun Dorma)

St Giles' Cathedral

ENTERTAINMENT CANDLELIGHT-CONCERTS
Bare Bones: the essentials of physical embodiment
Sat, 14 Feb at 10:30 am Bare Bones: the essentials of physical embodiment

Edinburgh Steiner School

National Galleries Writing Group
Thu, 21 May at 02:30 pm National Galleries Writing Group

National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait

ART EXHIBITIONS
Cocktail Masterclass at Harvey Nichols, Edinburgh
Thu, 14 Apr at 07:00 pm Cocktail Masterclass at Harvey Nichols, Edinburgh

Harvey Nichols Forth Floor Brasserie and Bar

WORKSHOPS
Queer Yoga Edinburgh @ Salisbury Centre
Fri, 10 Feb at 10:00 am Queer Yoga Edinburgh @ Salisbury Centre

Salisbury Centre

WORKSHOPS HEALTH-WELLNESS
Black History Walking Tour of Edinburgh
Sat, 29 Jul at 09:00 am Black History Walking Tour of Edinburgh

Melville Monument

BLACK-HISTORY-MONTH MEETUPS
Drawing in the Autumn - drawing workshops with autumnal themes
Wed, 04 Sep at 06:00 pm Drawing in the Autumn - drawing workshops with autumnal themes

The Out of the Blue Drill Hall

WORKSHOPS ART
Women Healing Art Circle
Thu, 19 Sep at 08:00 pm Women Healing Art Circle

The Salisbury Centre

ART NONPROFIT
Poetry Group at the ELC
Tue, 26 Nov at 03:00 pm Poetry Group at the ELC

The Eric Liddell Community

ART LITERARY-ART
An Action-Packed Scavenger Hunt! - Edinburgh\u2018s Enthralling Expedition
Fri, 13 Dec at 08:00 am An Action-Packed Scavenger Hunt! - Edinburgh‘s Enthralling Expedition

1 Drummond St

TRIPS-ADVENTURES HEALTH-WELLNESS
Blood and Guts: The Twists and Turns of Edinburgh's Medical History
Sat, 25 Jan at 02:00 pm Blood and Guts: The Twists and Turns of Edinburgh's Medical History

Surgeons' Hall Museum

DOG WORKSHOPS
The Georgian House: (ticket valid 10:00am-4:00pm)
Fri, 28 Feb at 10:00 am The Georgian House: (ticket valid 10:00am-4:00pm)

The Georgian House

ENTERTAINMENT ART
Introduction to Transmission Meditation - Edinburgh workshops 2025
Sun, 02 Mar at 07:00 pm Introduction to Transmission Meditation - Edinburgh workshops 2025

The Salisbury Centre

HEALTH-WELLNESS MEDITATION
Cosmic Path Yoga Flow -Weekly  Community Class
Wed, 26 Mar at 06:00 pm Cosmic Path Yoga Flow -Weekly Community Class

Art and Spirituality :Yoga, Healing, Meditation, Massage, Hire, Classes, Workshops

HEALTH-WELLNESS WORKSHOPS
Boozy Brushes, Drag Sip and Paint, Edinburgh
Sat, 05 Apr at 12:00 pm Boozy Brushes, Drag Sip and Paint, Edinburgh

LE MONDE

SIP-AND-PAINT
Boozy Brushes, Drag Sip and Paint, Edinburgh
Sat, 05 Apr at 12:00 pm Boozy Brushes, Drag Sip and Paint, Edinburgh

LE MONDE

SIP-AND-PAINT
Boozy Brushes, Drag Sip and Paint, Edinburgh
Sat, 05 Apr at 12:00 pm Boozy Brushes, Drag Sip and Paint, Edinburgh

LE MONDE

SIP-AND-PAINT
Boozy Brushes, Drag Sip and Paint, Edinburgh
Sat, 05 Apr at 12:00 pm Boozy Brushes, Drag Sip and Paint, Edinburgh

LE MONDE

SIP-AND-PAINT

What's Happening Next in Edinburgh?

Discover Edinburgh Events