Talk: John Gurwood and Creating a 19th Century Gentlemen's Bestseller

John Gurwood and the Wellington Dispatches: A 19th Century Gentlemen’s Bestseller

Join us for an exciting event at the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum where we delve into the world of 19th-century literature with a focus on John Gurwood and his bestseller, the Wellington Dispatches. Learn about the fascinating history behind this renowned work and its impact on society. Don't miss this unique opportunity to explore a piece of literary history in person!

Speaker: Frieda Stack

John Gurwood (1788-1845) was the career soldier who proposed to the Duke of Wellington that his letters and dispatches from India to Waterloo should be published. Freida Stack has researched and published the first full account of Gurwood's life, describing the challenges he overcame in accomplishing his vision of publishing the personal papers of the Duke's campaigns in India, the Peninsula, France and Belgium.

Gurwood’s instincts paid off and The Wellington Dispatches were, publicly at least, a resounding success. Learn more about Gurwood’s relationship with Wellington, the reception at the time, the value of his work to researchers since, and what we learn about Wellington the man. Freida’s talk will be of particular interest to anyone interested in research, publishing, Wellington and the 19th century.

Price includes museum entry to all galleries + tea and cake