George Demidowicz has worked for many years on the archaeology and history of the three Soho manufacturing sites associated where Matthew Boulton, James Watt and William Murdoch pioneered industrial innovation and production in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. His findings are now published in a splendidly illustrated and well-researched hard-back publication by Historic England and Liverpool University Press, The Soho Manufactory, Mint and Foundry: Where Boulton, Watt and Murdoch Made History. This event is an opportunity to hear about this new book which illuminates the heritage of Birmingham and the Black Country and purchase it at a reduced rate of £28 (normal retail price is £40).

The second part of the afternoon launches another book which was published at the start of lockdown by Liverpool University Press. James Watt, 1736–1819: Culture, Innovation and Enlightenment, edited by Malcolm Dick and Caroline Archer-Parré, contains essays by leading scholars which focus on his contributions to science and technology, his intellectual world, family life, links with the slave trade and the massive Watt archives at the Library of Birmingham. The paperback can be purchased at the reduced price of £18 (normal retail price is £24.99).

Programme

1:30pm: Doors open with tea and coffee and opportunity to purchase books

2:00pm: Overview of the Day. Dr Malcolm Dick OBE, Director, Centre for West Midlands History, University of Birmingham

2:10pm: Introduction. Dr Ellen McAdam, President of the Birmingham and Warwickshire Archaeological Society

2:20pm: George Demidovicz, Honorary Research Associate, University of Birmingham, The Soho Manufactory, Mint and Foundry: Where Boulton, Watt and Murdoch Made History

2:50pm: Questions

3:10pm: Short break (water and juice will be available)

3:30pm: Malcolm Dick, James Watt, 1736–1819: Culture, Innovation and Enlightenment

4:00pm: Book signing and wine reception with further opportunity to purchase books

5.15pm: Finish

Launch of two new books on the Soho Manufactory sites and James Watt