Printed Ephemera, Tudor divorces and the English rural idyll – major history conferences at the University of Reading – University of Reading
20 March 2006
Hundreds of the foremost historians from the UK and around the world will converge on the University of Reading from Friday 31 March to Sunday 2 April when, for the first time, the Economic History Society (EHS) and the Social History Society (SHS) will hold their annual conferences at the same time in the same place. Two conferences being held together means that, in effect, the academic content and opportunities for intellectual discussions will be doubled during the event. Also, a wider range of topics will be discussed – from business and economic history to becoming a mother in the twentieth century. Dr Margaret Yates and Professor Ralph Houlbrooke, both of Reading's School of History, are the local organisers of the events at the University. Dr Yates said: "This is the first time that the conferences are being co-located and we are extremely proud that Reading has been chosen as the venue. "This will be a very prestigious gathering of historians from a wide range of fields, periods and countries. It should prove to be an intellectually stimulating event." Among the many papers being presented, three major plenary lectures will be given. At the SHS conference, Terry Gunnell of the University of Iceland will consider 'Folk narratives and space', while at the EHS conference Professor Sheilagh Ogilvie of Cambridge University will discuss economic institutions in pre-industrial Europe. Also at the EHS conference, Reading's own Professor Michael Twyman will deliver a lecture called 'The lasting significance of printed ephemera'. He will illustrate the importance of printed documents for the historical record and show how a concentration on the history of the book has led to a very narrow interpretation of the work of the printing trade and its impact on society. A number of Reading academics will be speaking at both conferences. At the EHS conference, DrPeter Miskell will present the paper 'Selling global products in local markets: United Artists in Britain c1927-47', and Dr Lucy Newton will discuss 'Women investors in early nineteenth century English joint-stock banks'. Reading dominates the session on 'Land' with Professor Ted Collins and Michael Havinden presenting 'Long term trends in landownership 1500-1914' and Professor Richard Hoyle 'Estimating the size of the English land market 1540-1700'. Finally, Dr Peter Scott and Anna Spadavecchia are presenting 'Did the reduction in working hours following the First World War damage Britain's industrial competitiveness?'. At the SHS conference, Professor Nick Atkin will look at the subject of Thomas Cook and British Tourism to France, 1855-1914, while Professor Ralph Houlbrooke will consider marriage and divorce in mid-Tudor England. Dr Jeremy Burchardt will also present a paper on the rural idyll and agricultural modernisation in England, 1939-2006. End Notes for editors Along with details of both conference programmes, more information about the Economic History Society and the Social History Society can be found on the two websites http://www.ehs.org.uk and http://www.socialhistory.org.uk. Media contacts: Dr Margaret Yates, School of History, The University of Reading T: 0118 378 7332 E: m.h.yates@rdg.ac.uk Craig Hillsley, Press Officer, The University of Reading T: 0118 378 7388 E: c.hillsley@rdg.ac.uk