“THE WEDGWOODS AND THE DARWINS - THE MARRIAGE OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY” – Conference @ The Wedgwood Museum

THE WEDGWOODS AND THE DARWINS - THE MARRIAGE OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY Sunday 15th November 2009

A symposium to be held at the Wedgwood Museum - Winner of The Art Fund Prize and Museum of the Year 2009

The voyage of the Beagle took Charles Darwin to the other side of the Earth, seeking answers to the mystery of man's origins. Yet so often, his questions would lead him back to Staffordshire, to the land of his grandfathers, Josiah Wedgwood and Erasmus Darwin, and to intense discussions with his Wedgwood kin.

At the end of a year in which Darwin's bicentenary and the 150th anniversary of 'Origins' have caused this modest giant of science to be examined, the Wedgwood Museum-Winner of the Art Fund Prize and Museum of the Year 2009 - presents a symposium illustrating the evolution of the relationship between the Wedgwoods and the Darwins.

Programme

Museum opens 10.00am

Welcome and Coffee 10.15-10.45

10.45 Introduction by Alison Wedgwood

11.00am My favourite Aesculapius Gaye Blake Roberts, Director of the Wedgwood Museum, discusses the beginnings of the relationship between the Wedgwoods and the Darwins and the friendship between Josiah Wedgwood and Erasmus Darwin.

11.45am "...No blue-printed plates like mine in Staffordshire." Lynn Miller, Wedgwood Museum Information Officer, assesses this statement by Josiah ll with reference to the Darwin waterlily pattern and other botanical prints of the early 19th century.

12.30-2.00 pm Lunch and an opportunity to view the award-winning museum galleries.

2.00pm "Get up your steam and have a ramble in Wales." Museum Archivist, Kevin Salt illustrates Charles Darwin's sorties into Snowdonia from boyhood to old age.

2.45pm "Near and Dear Friends" Deputy Learning and Access Manager, Sharon Gater considers the extent to which Charles Darwin's ideas were influenced by family members.

3.30pm Conclusion by Alan Wedgwood

Tickets cost £25 - Concessions £15 (Students, Seniors and Friends of the Wedgwood Museum). Ticket price includes lunch (please indicate any dietary requirements on the attached booking form).

To book your place at this unique event please forward payment and a completed booking form to:

Darwin Symposium
The Wedgwood Museum,
Wedgwood Drive,
Barlaston,
Stoke-on-Trent,
Staffordshire. ST12 9ER

In light of postal disruptions bookings can also be made via email. Please email bookings@wedgwoodmuseum.org.uk

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