Professor, poet and biographer Robert Crawford follows haiku from its Japanese roots to its place as one of the world’s most widely recognised poetic forms. The lecture draws on his 2026 Yale University Press book Haiku and the lives of people who helped the form travel internationally.
A global literary journey
Crawford’s story includes a working-class London bookseller, a Japanese professor, a Mexican diplomat and an exiled African American writer. It also considers why haiku continues to appeal across generations and continents, including in conversations about climate change, social media and AI.
Crawford is Emeritus Wardlaw Professor of Poetry at the University of St Andrews. His work includes nine poetry collections and biographies of Robert Burns and T. S. Eliot.
Booking and arrival
The lecture begins at 18:45 on Monday 19 October. The organiser does not publish an end time. Entry is free, but booking is essential. The Japan Society asks non-members to consider a recommended £5 donation.
Anyone under 18 must attend with a parent or legal guardian because alcohol will be served. Enter the full name and email address of each attendee when booking.
The hall entrance is on Barter Street. The Swedenborg Society is approximately a 10-minute walk from Tottenham Court Road station and five minutes from Holborn. Event-specific step-free access, parking, quiet-space and carer arrangements are not published, so confirm these with the organiser before attending.
Before you go
No workshop, performance, signing, merchandise or food programme is advertised. Refreshments beyond the stated alcohol service are not confirmed.
The organiser has not published a last-entry time, bag policy or refund terms because this is a free booked event. Check your booking confirmation for any late arrival instructions.
See the official Japan Society event page and Swedenborg Society directions before travelling.