When over 50 experts from 14 different countries gathered at the University of Oxford for three days this September to discuss scholarship and celebrate the 250th anniversary of Voltaire’s Candide, StFX Modern Languages professor Dr. Edward Langille found himself in an unique position: two of the gathered scholars presented papers on his research work.

Dr. Langille also presented a paper at Candide is 250, the Sept. 16-18 conference hosted by the Voltaire Foundation.

Candide, Voltaire’s most famous satirical novel published in 1759, is the most widely read work in French literature, and remains as popular with readers today, for its satirical humour and for its shocking and absurdist portrayal of human folly. Oxford is the leading centre for research into Voltaire and the French Enlightenment.

“It was a very nice event, and it is nice to know you can do research at a small university that attracts the attention of leading scholars around the world,” Dr. Langille said.

He said he was a bit nervous at first to have his work commented on, but in the end he says the research was vindicated by scholars from around the world. Dr. Langille’s research focuses both on the origins and sources of Candide as well as the continuation of Candide.

World-renowned Voltaire scholar, Christiane Mervaud, presented one paper, commenting on Dr. Langille’s critical editions of 18th century spurious continuations of Candide. Nicholas Cronk, director of the Voltaire Foundation, commented positively on Dr. Langille’s  origins theory.

While at Oxford, Dr. Langille was also pleased to see his former student and research assistant, Gillian Pink, a StFX grad and Antigonish native who now coordinates the Complete Works published by the Voltaire Foundation.

Dr. Langille, who has lectured widely on the subject of Candide, will next present his research at Acadia University in October where he has been invited to discuss his work.