- DURATION 5 x 60 mins
Event Description
The late 18th and early 19th Centuries were a time of huge change in Western society. From the industrial revolution to massive political upheavals, from the emergence of scientific thought to new forms of cultural expression, it was an age that paved the way for the modern world. Often known as the “Age of Enlightenment” it was a global phenomenon. But right here in Central England were a group of figures who were at the forefront of the very latest ideas and developments. We know them today as the “Lunar Society”.
An informal grouping made up of industrialists, scientists, religious thinkers, artists and writers, their meetings were a forum for discussing concepts that would change society and shape our world. In this series of talks, we will be taking an in-depth look at the Lunar Society. How did it get started? Who were the main figures involved? What kind of themes did they discuss? What was their wider impact?
Individual talks will look in detail at some of the key members including Erasmus Darwin, Matthew Boulton, James Watt, Josiah Wedgwood and Joseph Priestley, as well as some lesser-known names. We will be discovering their fascinating life stories, their revolutionary ways of thinking, their technological and scientific advances and how their influence spread. And we will be considering their connections with the wider world, especially influential thinkers and politicians in the USA.
Although each talk will be of interest in its own right, the full five-part series will provide a comprehensive insight into a group of people whose ideas and achievements can be felt all around us today.
- Duration: 5 x 60 mins
- Online Zoom event: Join from your computer, phone or tablet (no replay available)
Meet the Host, Ian Braisby
Ian has a degree in Commerce and German and worked for several years as a project manager and translator before deciding on a complete career change and qualifying as a tourist guide. He holds the Blue Badge, which is the UK’s highest tour guiding qualification and is a member of the Institute of Tourist Guides.
With a passion for sharing places and stories with people from around the world, he offers a combination of in-person tours, virtual tours, and presentations, in both English and German. He has a friendly and informal style and a flair for bringing history to life with anecdotes about people and events.
Preparing for the Event
For the best experience, you will need to have Zoom downloaded onto your computer. Please ensure you're connected to broadband/wifi rather than using your mobile phone connection (3G/4G).
We also recommend that pets are either calmly sitting on your lap or in another room, and any refreshments you may require are within your reach!
More Information
What if I can’t make the event?
If a recording’s available for the event, you can still register for it and we will send you an email with a link to a recording shortly after it ends.
Will my camera be on and will I be visible to the other people?
Your camera and microphone does not need to be on for you to enjoy the event. The choice about whether to do this is completely yours.
How do I watch the live event?
Rest Less events are hosted on Zoom, a computer application that allows you to attend online events just by clicking a link. For detailed instructions, please go to our "FAQ" page, which you can find a link to in the nav bar at the top of the page.
How do I sign-up for and access the recording? (Recorded events only)
Book the event as normal (as if you are attending live). After the event ends you will automatically receive a post-event email with a link to the recording, as long as the event was recorded. You do not need to do anything else and there is no separate booking process for recordings only. Please note it can take up to 24 hours for Zoom to process recordings.