Thursday 17th September 2009
2009 marks the Bicentenary of the death of the West Midlands entrepreneur Matthew Boulton (1728 - 1809). Come along to Aston University's free Discovery Day on Thursday 17th September to find out more about his life and work.
Starting at 10am the day will be packed full of lectures, exhibitions and interactive workshops that you will be able to take part in and learn all about Birmingham's most influential entrepreneur.
Introduced by Aston University Vice Chancellor, Professor Julia King, speakers include Dr Malcolm Dick, Dr Michael Jepson, Graham Fisher MBE, Sue Tungate and Barbara Fogarty. Lecture topics will include Matthew Boulton's life and work, the medical dimension of the Lunar Society, the history of canals, the 'Mechanical Paintings' of Matthew Boulton and Francis Eginton and Matthew Boulton and coins.
A limited number of free places are available for the lectures. Admission is free - by ticket only - and also includes a buffet lunch. To book a place please email events@aston.ac.uk or call ext 4552. Staff are welcome to attend the whole day, an individual session or just browse the exhibitions! (Please note that if you wish to attend any of the lectures that you will need to book a ticket.)
Schedule of the day (all lectures will take place in G11):
9:30 - 10:00: Tea and coffee (in G63)
10:00 - 10:15am: Introduction by Professor Julia King
10:15 - 11:15am: Dr Malcolm Dick, Director of the Centre for West Midlands History, University of Birmingham, on Matthew Boulton’s Life and Work
11:30 - 12:30pm: Dr Michael Jepson, Aston University, on The Medical Dimensions of the Lunar Society
12:30 - 1:30pm: Lunch (in G63) and opportunity to visit the exhibitions and displays in the Great Hall
1:30 - 2:30pm: Graham Fisher MBE on the history and importance of canals to Matthew Boulton and the development of the Industrial Revolution
2:30 - 3:00pm: Refreshment break (in G8) and opportunity to visit the exhibitions and displays in the Great Hall
3:00 - 4:00pm: Sue Tungate, History of Art, University of Birmingham, on Matthew Boulton and his revolution in British coinage
4:00 - 5:00pm: Barbara Fogarty on Matthew Boulton and James Eginton’s Mechanical Paintings
5:00pm - 6:30pm – Refreshment break (in G63)
6:30pm - 7:30pm - Professor Julia King, Vice-Chancellor, will give the Boulton and Watt Commemoration Lecture for the Lunar Society on Technologies for Sustainable Development (Great Hall).
Break out sessions for schools and the public, which run in parallel with the lecture programme. Participants can choose which of these, if any, they would to attend instead of the main lectures in G11. Locations will be confirmed on the day.
Planned workshops include (subject to confirmation):
Great Hall displays and exhibitions (running all day) will include:
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