After Edward Colston: The Bristol Library Society and the Slave Trade
The toppling of the statue of the slave trader Edward Colston (1636-1721) in Bristol on 7 June 2020 has reminded a whole country – and many other parts of the world – of the city’s historical involvement in the slave trade. In the eighteenth century, Bristol prided itself as the second city of the British Empire and the traffic in human beings played a seminal role in creating the city’s wealth. In the second half of the century, the city used its increased prosperity to found cultural institutions, and one of the most notable ones was the Bristol Library Society, established in 1772-73. As a postdoctoral member of Professor Mark Towsey’s AHRC project on ‘Libraries, Reading Communities and Cultural Formation in the Eighteenth-Century Atlantic’, I conduct research on this institution and recently signed a contract with Bristol Record Society to publish an edition of its eighteenth-century committee minutes in book form.
Posted on: 10 June 2020
Professor Elaine Chalus discusses women and elections in the age of revolution
Professor Elaine Chalus, Head of the Department of History at the University of Liverpool, was recently recorded discussing women and elections with Megan King from the University of Kent’s Age of Revolutions research project.
Posted on: 6 May 2020
21 of the Best Things to Watch on Netflix if You Are a History Lover!
If you’re looking for your historical fix during these strange times then look no further. We’ve put together a list of the movies and tv shows that we will be watching over the next few weeks. A mixture of documentaries from top historians to comical interpretations of historical events, there will be something to suit any mood.
Posted on: 9 April 2020
VE day Special: Liverpool’s Most Famous Sites
Just like the rest of Europe, the face of Liverpool changed drastically during the Second World War. The May Blitz was the most devastating event that shook Liverpool to its core. The bombings lasted for eight nights and devastated the city and its surrounding suburbs. 1,900 people were killed, 1,450 seriously injured and over 70,000 people were made homeless. Winston Churchill later praised the strength of Liverpudlians, stating: “I see the damage done by the enemy attacks, but I also see the spirit of an unconquered people.” The effects of the war are still felt today and can be seen through our iconic buildings that many of us have passed without really taking notice. Perhaps next time we encounter the buildings on our list below we will appreciate everything that they symbolise and all that they have done and still do for the Liverpool community.
Posted on: 9 April 2020
Stop What You're Doing and Listen to These History Podcasts
It's time to put on those headphones and get into the listening zone. You are in for an audio treat. Get ready to be transported back in time and experience the horror, the chaos and the unimaginable. The following shows are all highly popular but which one will you pick to be your overall favourite? Get listening to decide.
Posted on: 1 April 2020
Our top revision tips for exam season
It’s that time of year again. But you’ve got this. Deep breath.
Posted on: 7 January 2020
Blog
After Edward Colston: The Bristol Library Society and the Slave Trade
The toppling of the statue of the slave trader Edward Colston (1636-1721) in Bristol on 7 June 2020 has reminded a whole country – and many other parts of the world – of the city’s historical involvement in the slave trade. In the eighteenth century, Bristol prided itself as the second city of the British Empire and the traffic in human beings played a seminal role in creating the city’s wealth. In the second half of the century, the city used its increased prosperity to found cultural institutions, and one of the most notable ones was the Bristol Library Society, established in 1772-73. As a postdoctoral member of Professor Mark Towsey’s AHRC project on ‘Libraries, Reading Communities and Cultural Formation in the Eighteenth-Century Atlantic’, I conduct research on this institution and recently signed a contract with Bristol Record Society to publish an edition of its eighteenth-century committee minutes in book form.
Posted on: 10 June 2020