Category: Social history

Modern, 19th Century history, 20th century history, Buildings and Architecture, Social history

Two Gardening Giants- Joseph Chamberlain and Michael Heseltine

In the second of two blogs for National Gardening Week, here guest blogger Dr Jonathan Denby takes a closer look at two MPs with a passion for gardening, who served in the Cabinet one hundred years apart… When Joseph Chamberlain sat down with his cabinet colleagues in 1880 every one of them had a country estate with a large ornamental garden and they all, not … Continue reading Two Gardening Giants- Joseph Chamberlain and Michael Heseltine

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Modern, 20th century history, History of Parliament Trust, Social history

Captain Ian Fraser MP and the 1926 Wireless Telegraphy (Blind Persons Facilities) Bill

In the mid-1920s, radio technology developments and the BBC’s foundation in Britain led to new and exciting possibilities. Access to music, educational talks and current events became available to increasing numbers of people. Here, guest blogger Dr Rachel Garratt explores how one man, Captain Ian Fraser, used his position as a Member of Parliament and disabled veteran to campaign for radio access for blind people. … Continue reading Captain Ian Fraser MP and the 1926 Wireless Telegraphy (Blind Persons Facilities) Bill

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Contemporary History, 20th century history, Modern, Oral history, Social history, Women and Parliament

‘Neither fish, fowl nor good red herring’: Baroness Nicholson’s experiences of hearing loss

Emma Nicholson, Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne, born 1941, was the MP for Torridge and West Devon 1987‒97. Elected as a Conservative MP, she crossed the floor to join the Liberal Democrats in 1995. After losing her seat in 1997 she was created a life peer, and served as a Member of the European Parliament for South East England for ten years (1999‒2009). Interviewed in 2013 … Continue reading ‘Neither fish, fowl nor good red herring’: Baroness Nicholson’s experiences of hearing loss

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Georgian Lords, 18th Century history, Factions, Georgian, Legal history, Military history, Parties, Slavery, Social history

The earl of Abingdon and the treatment of American prisoners of war

In the latest post for the Georgian Lords, Dr Robin Eagles highlights the career of one of the House’s more eccentric orators: Willoughby Bertie, 4th earl of Abingdon: musician, breeder of champion race-horses and radical politician concerned about corruption at the top and the treatment of prisoners. The 4th earl of Abingdon, is probably best known as one of the 18th century’s more talented amateur … Continue reading The earl of Abingdon and the treatment of American prisoners of war

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Contemporary History, 20th century history, Disability history, Modern, Social history

Visibility of Disability in the House of Commons: Food for Thought

As the UK marks Disability History Month, today’s guest blogger, Dr Ekaterina (Katya) Kolpinskaya explores the representation of disabilities in the House of Commons, and why Members of Parliament may be unwilling or unable to be more open about their disabilities. The recent increase in the number of disabled people in Britain – who have a physical or mental health impairment which has a substantial and … Continue reading Visibility of Disability in the House of Commons: Food for Thought

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Women and Parliament, 17th Century history, 18th Century history, 19th Century history, Conferences, Seminars and Events, Georgian, Social history, Victorian

Women in charge? Parliament’s female Housekeepers and Necessary Women, c. 1690-1877

Ahead of next Tuesday’s Parliaments, Politics and People seminar, we hear from Mari Takayanagi, senior archivist in the UK Parliamentary Archives, and Elizabeth Hallam Smith, historical research consultant at the Houses of Parliament. On 28 November they will discuss the women who once operated behind the scenes at the House of Lords… The seminar takes place on 28 November 2023, between 5:30 and 6.30 p.m. … Continue reading Women in charge? Parliament’s female Housekeepers and Necessary Women, c. 1690-1877

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Georgian Lords, 18th Century history, Factions, Georgian, Local History, Military history, Social history

Loud enough to wake the dead? Fireworks and celebration in the mid-18th century

With Guy Fawkes night almost upon us, we can expect to see and hear fireworks going off all across the country. A previous blog showed how throughout the late 17th century, fireworks and bonfires were used to mark the momentous events of the Glorious Revolution and William III’s wars with France. [Making ‘night like day’] As Dr Charles Littleton shows, that tradition continued into the … Continue reading Loud enough to wake the dead? Fireworks and celebration in the mid-18th century

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Georgian, 18th Century history, 19th Century history, Minority Ethnic History, Slavery, Social history, Victorian, Women and Parliament

Catherine Despard (c.1755-1815): Wife, Mother, Radical advocate 

You may have heard of Catherine Despard from the television series Poldark. In this blog Helen Wilson, PhD candidate with the History of Parliament and Open University, who is researching the Black and Mixed Ethnicity Presence in British Politics, 1750-1850, discusses Catherine’s marriage to Edward Despard and their status as an interracial couple involved in radical campaigns. The Despard conspiracy occurred in early 1802 and … Continue reading Catherine Despard (c.1755-1815): Wife, Mother, Radical advocate 

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Victorian Commons, 19th Century history, Conferences, Seminars and Events, Irish History, Social history, Victorian

Political practices: new directions in political history in the long nineteenth century

Continuing our series reflecting on the Organise! Organise! Organise! conference hosted by Durham University and supported by the History of Parliament, guest blogger Dr Helen Sunderland, a historian based at the University of Oxford, discusses the new directions of research that were presented and considers what might be next for political history. Two packed days at the Organise! Organise! Organise! conference at Durham University last month showcased the … Continue reading Political practices: new directions in political history in the long nineteenth century

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Georgian, 18th Century history, 19th Century history, Conferences, Seminars and Events, Electoral Reform, Social history

Everyday Experiences of Politics: Material Culture in the Age of Reform, 1780-1832

Our Parliaments, Politics and People seminar is back for the autumn term! At next week’s seminar Kerry Love of the University of Northampton will discuss material culture and the everyday experience of politics between 1780 and 1832. The seminar takes place on 3 October 2023, between 17:30 and 19:00. It is fully ‘hybrid’, which means you can attend either in-person in London at the IHR, or … Continue reading Everyday Experiences of Politics: Material Culture in the Age of Reform, 1780-1832

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