John Thelwall and Radical Norfolk: A Symposium

Join the Norfolk Record Office for a symposium on 18th-century political radicalism in Norwich and Norfolk this autumn.

The one-day event, available in person or online, will explore political dissent, radical thought and their suppression in Norfolk around the time of the French revolution.

In 1796, John Thelwall - once considered the most dangerous man in Britain - was giving a lecture in Great Yarmouth when a gang of sailors burst in and violently broke up the meeting.  This Symposium marks the generous donation to the Norfolk Record Office by the John Thelwall Society of newly acquired manuscripts describing these events.  The documents will be on display on the day.

The event has attached eminent speakers and experts including Professors Nicholas Roe of the University of St Andrews, Penelope Corfield of Royal Holloway and Judith Thompson of Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia.

As well as talks on John Thelwall, speakers will cover such as topics as:

• Norwich Radicalism
• The Suppression of Radicalism
• Jermyn Pratt, David Service, and Poetic Electioneering
• Amelia Opie and Radical Norfolk

John Thelwall and Radical Norfolk: A Symposium runs from 10am to 5pm on Friday 25 October and will be held at the Norfolk Record Office, The Archive Centre, Martineau Lane, Norwich NR1 2DQ, with ticket holders also able to view the event online.

Tickets are £25 each - purchase online from the Norfolk Record Office.

Cllr Margaret Dewsbury, Norfolk County Council's Cabinet Member for Communities and Partnerships, said: "It's no exaggeration to say that the English radicalism of the 18th Century changed the world, and it's wonderful to be reminded of how much of that radical heritage has roots right here in Norfolk. There's a stellar line up taking part in this Symposium, celebrating the wonderful generosity of the John Thelwall Society, and anyone who wants to know more about how radical and how fractious politics could be in the past should put the 25th in their diary and make sure to come along and listen to this fascinating chapter in Norfolk's history."

The event is free to Norfolk Archives and Heritage Development Foundation (NorAH) supporters.

The Symposium is being held for one day on the 25 October and is a must see for students of Norfolk's radical political history or anyone interested a fascinating period of our county's history.