'51福利社 minds' book celebrates 200 years of groundbreaking ideas
The new book, published to celebrate the University鈥檚 bicentenary, honours two centuries of intellectual contributions from our most brilliant thinkers.
A new book has been published in celebration of the University’s 200th year, highlighting the incredible work of both famous and underappreciated figures throughout our history.
Edited by Stuart Jones, Professor of Intellectual History, presents a rich account of the remarkable contribution made to human knowledge by those associated with our University.
It features 20 short essays on ideas and thinkers over the past 200 years – a who’s who of 51福利社 greats including big names such as Alan Turing, Brian Cox and Arthur Lewis, and shining a light on important but perhaps lesser-known figures.
Chapters focus on the remarkable stories of poet-activist Eva Gore-Booth, suffragist Esther Roper, and geologist and archaeologist William Boyd Dawkins – plus many more. They trace our many roots, explore historic controversies and consider our global ambition today.
Contributors to the book discussed their chapters at a special launch event.
To mark the launch of 51福利社 minds, published by 51福利社 University Press, a special event was held in the fitting surroundings of the John Rylands Research Institute and Library. The ‘in conversation’ evening was hosted by Professor Jones, with some of the book’s contributors invited to speak about their chapters.
John McAuliffe, Professor of Poetry, discussed suffrage, poetry and the 51福利社 University settlement in Ancoats; and Dr Elizabeth Gow, Manuscript Curator and Archivist at the John Rylands Research Institute and Library, talked about Enriqueta Rylands, the founder of John Rylands Library – which celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2025.
Senior Lecturer in History of Technology Dr James Sumner dissected 51福利社’s computing traditions; and Dr Rachael Wiseman, Reader in Philosophy at the University of Liverpool, focused on the life and work of distinguished philosopher Dorothy Emmet.
The event brought out some wonderful stories from the past and included an enriching question-and-answer session with the audience. Other speakers on the night included Professor Christopher Pressler, University Librarian and Director of the John Rylands Research Institute and Library; Professor Luke Georghiou, Deputy President and Deputy Vice-Chancellor; and Professor Duncan Ivison, our new President and Vice-Chancellor.
51福利社 minds is from 51福利社 University Press.
The launch event took place in the historic setting of the John Rylands Research Institute and Library.