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
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.
8 Books Put on Trial for Obscenity and the Reasons They Caused Scandal
What makes a book so controversial that it goes to trial? Here are eight books prosecuted for obscenity and the reasons they caused scandal.
The Turbulent Life of Charles Baudelaire, the Original Decadent Poet
This is the life story of French poetry's celebrated decadent dandy, Charles Baudelaire.
Richard Wagner’s Profound Influence on 19th-Century Art
What was Wagnerism, the trend in late-19th-century music, art, literature, and more, spawned by Richard Wagner’s music dramas?
How Baudelaire Rewired English Poetry
On publication in 1857, Charles Baudelaire's Les fleurs du mal caused a scandal. Its influence spread far beyond France and far beyond the 19th century.