A TALK on one of Worcestershire’s most famous sons – John Baskerville – will be the latest event in Kidderminster Historical Society’s annual programme.
The presentation ‘John Baskerville (1707 to 1775) from Wolverley – Printer, Businessman and Enlightenment Figure’ will be given by guest speaker Malcolm Dick OBE.
The event will take place at 2.30pm on Thursday, January 22, at The Old Museum of Carpet Building, Stour Vale Mill, Green Street.
John Baskerville was born in 1707 on the borders of Wolverley and Kidderminster but established himself in Birmingham as a major manufacturer of japanware and Britain’s most significant printer. The Baskerville font is widely used today.
This presentation looks at the early Worcestershire influences upon John Baskerville’s life and the impact of Birmingham on his developing career. It finishes with an assessment of his importance locally, and in the wider world.
Dr Malcolm Dick OBE, BA, PhD, PGCE, FRHistS, is Honorary Associate Professor of History and, formerly, Director of the Centre for West Midlands History at the University of Birmingham.
He has written extensively on the history of the West Midlands, including books on the history of Birmingham, the Black Country, refugees and on members of the Lunar Society.
In 2016, he co-edited a book on John Baskerville with Prof Caroline Archer-Parre and is currently editing another book with Caroline which will present recent research on Baskerville.
Everyone is welcome – the event is free to members with a small charge for visitors.
Go to: kdahs.org or Facebook.com/KidderminsterHistoricalSociety for more information.
