The Making of the Modern World – book launch and talk with Bill Lancaster

About this event

To celebrate our new publication, ‘The Making of The Modern World’ – The history of The North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers volume 1:1852-1942, historian and author Bill Lancaster will deliver a free public talk titled ‘Nicholas Wood and George Elliot, The First and Third Presidents: Great Men?’

In this talk, Bill will explore the first half-century of the Mining Institute through the lens of its two most important founder members Nicholas Wood, the first President and Sir George Elliot, the third.

Though slightly different in age, both came from similar backgrounds in terms of family and education. Both were central figures in the creation of the Institute, shaping its fortunes and leaving behind a legacy that endured long after their deaths. Both Wood and Elliot could easily fit into the Samuel Smiles Pantheon of Victorian Great Men, but they were very different in character: Wood the brilliant empirical engineer who can be rightly termed the ‘Third Stephenson’; Elliot the visionary whose business and political activities were globally important.

During their stewardship of the Institute, Neville Hall (now known as The Common Room) became the hub of international mining engineering, and the myriad of innovations that cascaded from mining into the core industries of the second industrial revolution continue to shape the modern world…

The talk will be held 150 years to the day since members of the Institute first met at Neville Hall, now known as The Common Room. Join The Common Room and the North Of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers to celebrate this significant milestone.

Date and Timings

Date: Saturday 2nd July

Arrival from 6:00pm for drinks reception

Talk and Q&A: 6:30pm – 7:30pm

Guests are welcome to stay in our 5|Quarter cafe bar following the event.

Booking information

Each person attending must have their own ticket.

Tickets are free, but if you would like to make a small donation to support the charitable work of The Common Room, it would be hugely appreciated.

About The Making Of The Modern World

The publication introduces the Mining Institute and the founding members whose inventions, discoveries and innovations cascaded down into other industries new and old, and in the process created what is now the modern world.

Find out more and purchase the book here.

About our Game Changers anniversary festival

The Common Room is hosting a free anniversary festival throughout the summer, celebrating the North East’s mining and engineering past, present and future innovations. The festival, called ‘Game Changers’, is delivered in partnership with the North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers (known to many as the Mining Institute) and will offer something for everyone, from live music, family science shows and workshops, to an exhibition and unique building tours.

The festival marks 170 years of the Mining Institute and 150 years of The Common Room building, which has been the home of the Institute and some of the region’s most pioneering minds – or ‘Game Changers’ – throughout the years, including engineers Robert Stephenson, Lord Armstrong and Nicholas Wood.

Our headline exhibition and festival’s namesake, ‘Game Changers’, will be open to the public between Saturday 16th July to mid-September on select dates – if you are joining us for an event this summer, the exhibition will be open that day. Book a general admission ticket to find out what other dates the exhibition is open this month. The exhibition will uncover the major individuals, inventions and innovations tied to the Institute throughout its now 170-year lifespan, and will also look to the future of innovation in the North East.

The Game Changers anniversary festival has been made possible thanks to National Lottery Players, via funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

To find out more, click here.

Additional information

Location: Lecture Theatre, The Common Room, Westgate Road, Newcastle NE1 1SE

Children must be supervised at all times by a responsible adult.

Our building is fully accessible – if you have any queries about accessibility, please contact lucy.stockdale@thecommonroom.org.uk

The Common Room is taking a number of precautions to mitigate the risk to the public regarding COVID-19. Visitors will be encouraged to wear a face-covering (unless they have a medical exemption) and to practice social distancing. For further information on our COVID-19 protocol please visit thecommonroom.org.uk/about-the-common-room