Celebrating Cultures across the University of Birmingham
Wilkie Collins was an English novelist and playwright born in 1824. He was an early pioneer of detective fiction and mystery stories having written over 30 novels, as well as plays and short stories. He is perhaps most well known for two novels, The Woman in White and Moonstone, both of which are considered pioneering … Continue reading “Wilkie Collins – 200th anniversary”
27 December 2023 marks the centenary of the passing of Gustave Eiffel, most noted for creating the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris. Born in Dijon in 1832, he graduated from the Ecole Centrale des Arts et Manufactures in 1855. Trained as an engineer, he founded and developed a company specialising in metal structural work. The … Continue reading “100th anniversary of the death of Gustave Eiffel”
23 November 2023 marks the 60th anniversary of the first episode of Dr Who. Beginning with William Hartnell as the first-ever Time Lord, fourteen actors have gone on to play this iconic role, exploring the universe in the TARDIS (Time and Relative Dimension(s) In Space), combatting foes, helping people in need and generally just saving … Continue reading “Dr Who at 60”
Born in Belfast in November 1898 into the Anglican Church of Ireland, British writer, literary scholar and Anglican lay theologian CS (Clive Staples) Lewis (1898-1963) abandoned his faith at school, but was reconverted to Christianity when on the English faculty at Oxford by the devoutly Catholic J.R.R. Tolkien, author of “The Lord of the Rings.” … Continue reading “60th anniversary of the death of CS Lewis”
Jean Maurice Eugène Clément Cocteau (1889-1963) was a French poet, playwright, novelist, designer, filmmaker, visual artist and critic. One of the foremost creatives of the surrealist, avant-garde, and Dadaist movements, he was one of the most influential figures in early 20th-century art. In 1917, Cocteau met Picasso. They went to Rome and Cocteau worked with … Continue reading “Jean Cocteau 60th anniversary of his death 11 October”
29 August 2023 marks the centenary of the birth of Sir Richard Attenborough, English actor, director and producer. He left home when he was 17 to attend London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. His acting roles stretch a remarkable 60 years from 1942 to 2002 – starring in early films such as the sublime ‘A Matter … Continue reading “100th anniversary of the birth of Sir Richard Attenborough”
28 August marks the 60th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr giving his famous ‘I have a dream’ speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. The March on Washington put pressure on the Kennedy administration to advance its civil rights legislation in Congress. The speech … Continue reading “‘I have a dream’”
Portrait of Charlotte Grote Sir Joshua Reynolds PRA, FRS, FRSA (16 July 1723-23 February 1792) was portrait painter and aesthetician who dominated English artistic life in the middle and late 18th century and was one of the major European painters of that time. Through his art and teaching, he attempted to lead British painting away … Continue reading “Sir Joshua Reynolds 300th anniversary”
February 16 2023 marks the 100th anniversary of one of the most significant moments in the history of archaeology – the opening of the sealed doorway to Tutankhamen’s tomb in Thebes, Egypt. The discovery of which was made by the renowned archaeologist Howard Carter, who dedicated his life to uncovering the secrets of ancient Egypt. … Continue reading “100th anniversary of British archaeologist Howard Carter opening the sealed doorway to Tutankhamen’s tomb in Thebes, Egypt“
February 12th marked the 100th anniversary of the birth of Franco Zeffirelli, an Italian film director widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time. Born in Florence, Italy on 12 February 1923, Zeffirelli was a visionary in the world of film and television, bringing a fresh, vibrant, and creative approach to each one … Continue reading “100th Anniversary of the birth of Franco Zeffirelli”
