Unearthing Baskerville

Walking tour led by Ben Waddington 11am–1pm

Meet at Statue of Horatio Nelson St Martins Walk, Bull Ring,  Birmingham, B5 4BP

John Baskerville should be the ideal historical figure to represent Birmingham: relentlessly creative, a self-made industrial pioneer and a successful businessman. However, his presence in the city is scarcely seen today and, like the famous detective sometimes associated with the name Baskerville, we now must scour the city’s streets, churchyards and museums in search of clues to tell his story.

Ben Waddington is a keen typophile, committed local historian and is the director of the Still Walking festival. Walk lasts approximately 120 min and ends in Warstone Lane, Jewellery Quarter. Wear shoes suitable for urban walking.

Tickets: £10 / £8 concs Festival Pass: free

In conversation: John Baskerville: art and industry of the Enlightenment

Bool launch and reception 5pm–6pm

Waterstone's Birmingham

We are delighted that Birmingham Literature Festival and Waterstones Birmingham are supporting the launch of this new book by Caroline Archer-Parré and Malcolm Dick. Published by Liverpool University Press, this book takes an interdisciplinary approach to John Baskerville’s life and work as a Birmingham inventor, entrepreneur and artist, and provides an original contribution to printing history, eighteenth-century studies and the dissemination of ideas. There will be an ‘in conversation’ style discussion with both Caroline and Malcom, readings and questions from the audience. The event willbe followed by a drinks reception.

Tickets: Free but booking required