London Historians' Monthly Pub Meet

A London Historians Event

We have an informal gathering of socialising at the beginning of every month. From 6:30 pm. We have up to 30 attendees most months and you can come as early or late as you like, we’re always still there at Last Orders. All welcome, not just LH members.

The pub we use is the excellent Wheatsheaf at 25 Rathbone Place, Fitzrovia, W1T 1JB. It’s just five mins walk from Tottenham Court Road Station (Central, Elizabeth, Northern).

We meet on first Tuesday of the month, no longer first Wednesday as previous years.

On the following dates:
Meetings for all of 2023 are as follows: Tue 4 January; Tue 7 February; Tue 7 March; Tue 4 April; Tue 2 May; Tue 6 June; Tue 4 July; Tue 1 August; Tue 5 September; Tue 3 October; Tue 7 November; Tue 5 December.

The Man Who Invented White City

A London Historians Event

Thursday 15 June 7pm – 8pm.
Online Talk.

Hear how Imre Kiralfy, a remarkable but almost forgotten Hungarian showman, transformed farmland and brickfields into the fantastical Great White City. The 140-acre site was the talk of Edwardian London, hosting a series of international exhibitions with an overarching imperial theme. The site was also used, at short notice, for the 1908 Olympics, held in the world’s first multi-use sports stadium. Presented by Joanna Oyediran, who regularly leads guided walks round White City for Open City. Shepherd’s Bush has been her home for the last twelve years.

LH Members £3 + fee
Non Members £4.50 + fee
More information and to book your tickets.

How Tattoos Became Fashionable in Victorian London

A London Historians Event

Mon 17 July 2023.
Online Talk.

At the start of the nineteenth-century, tattooing was largely restricted to sailors, soldiers and convicts, but over time the range of people tattooed, and the subjects of their tattoos broadened considerably. Based on a unique database of 75,688 descriptions of tattoos on 58,002 convicts from 1792 to 1925, this talk will explain how Victorian Londoners used tattoos to express their loves and interests, identities and affiliations. In doing so, tattooing reflected wider cultural trends and fashions, notably the late-century popularity of the American showman, Buffalo Bill.

Presented by Prof Bob Shoemaker.

LH Members £3 + fee
Non Members £4.50 + fee
More information and to order your tickets.

Free and Affordable Lectures

Several institutions host wonderful history lectures which are either free or cost very little.
The venerable Gresham College holds free lectures at its HQ in Barnards Inn, Holborn and also at Museum of London. Details.
Guildhall Library has free lunchtime lectures and £5 evening ones, which include a glass of wine. Details