Come and hear the authors of the newly published John Baskerville: art and industry of the Enlightenment (Liverpool University Press) talk about their chapters, which collectively produce 'a fascinating account of the printer, type designer, and manufacturer, John Baskerville, which sheds new light on the history of this polymathic figure. Focusing on previously unexplored details of his personal life, the book explores his contribution to fields beyond printing, and his relationship with the broader technologies and ideas of Enlightenment Birmingham.' Dr Freya Gowrley, University of Edinburgh

In addition to the talks you will be able to watch the premier of Hic Jacet: or the corpse in the crescent; and enjoy getting your hands on some original Baskerville books in the Cadbury Research Library. The event will be concluded with a book signing, wine and canapés.

SPEAKERS: Malcolm Dick, The topographies of a typographer: mapping John Baskerville since the eighteenth century; John Hinks, Printing and the English Urban Renaissance; George Demidowicz, Place, home and workplace: Baskerville’s birthplace and buildings; Yvonne Jones, John Baskerville: Japanner of ‘tea trays and other household goods’; Susan Whyman, John Baskerville, William Hutton and their social networks; Ewan Clayton, Baskerville the writing master: calligraphy and type in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries; Gerry Leonidas, A reappraisal of Baskerville’s Greek types; Barry McKay & Diana Patterson, John Baskerville’s decorated papers; Aurelie Martin, The ‘Baskerville Bindings’; Martin Killeen, After the ‘perfect book’: English printers and their use of Baskerville type, 1767-90; Caroline Archer-Parré, The Cambridge cult of the Baskerville Press.

The event is FREE but book is essential. Book you ticket here.