Month: March 2026

Thursday, 26 March 2026 (7.30pm)

Join us as Dr Hannah Theaker discusses the Macartney Embassy and China’s long 19th Century.

The Macartney Embassy (1792–1794) was the first official British diplomatic mission to China, led by George Macartney to the Qing dynasty’s Qianlong Emperor. Aiming to open trade, establish a permanent embassy, and ease restrictions in Canton, the mission failed to achieve its goals as the Emperor viewed the requests as contradictory to tradition and unnecessary.

Dr Theaker is a Lecturer in History and Politics at the University of Plymouth. She teaches across the history and politics departments, offering a range of courses on China, refugee studies, historical methodology, postcolonialism and the Global South.Hannah joined the History and Politics departments at the University of Plymouth in 2021, having previously been the Plumer Junior Research Fellow in Oriental Studies, St Anne’s College, University of Oxford.

Her work explores empire, rebellion, migration and the co-construction of religion and ethnicity in China’s northwest, with a particular focus on the impact of 19th century state-directed resettlements of Muslims following the Great Northwestern Rebellions, 1860-1872.

Register on Eventbrite HERE.

If you require wheelchair access please email info@plymouthathenaeum.co.uk in advance.

 

Thursday, 7 May 2026 (7.30pm)

As it moves towards the next exciting stage in its history, we celebrate the 208th anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone of the original Foulston-designed building with a talk celebrating the past, present and future of the Plymouth Athenaeum.

From the neo-classical inspiration of its designer, architect John Foulston, through to its destruction in World War II and post-War modernist rebirth, this talk will take a virtual tour through the museums, theatres and libraries that have made the Athenaeum one of the cultural centres of Plymouth since 1819.

Discover more about the famous visitors from princes to pop stars and world-renowned scientists to stars of stage and screen, and the next exciting stage in its history.

The talk will be given by Owen Ryles, Chief Executive of the Plymouth Athenaeum. Owen is a Fellow of the Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, the Linnean Society and the Zoological Society.

His previous talks include The Romance of Architecture: The life of George Wightwick, Spanning the divide: Brunel and the Royal Albert Bridge, Education, enlightenment and entertainment: Plymouth Mechanics’ Institute 1825-1899 , Walking through the storm: William Snow Harris v The Admiralty, and Charles Hamilton Smith: Writer, Illustrator, Solider, Spy.

Register on Eventbrite HERE.

If you require wheelchair access please email info@plymouthathenaeum.co.uk in advance.

Thursday, 23 April 2026 (7.30pm)

Join us as Dr Patrick Holden looks at the relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union as we near the tenth anniversary of the Brexit referendum.

On 23 June 2016 a referendum was held across the United Kingdom (UK) and Gibraltar about whether the UK should remain a member of the European Union (EU) or leave the economic and political union.

The UK voted to leave the EU by 52% to 48%. Leave won the majority of votes in England and Wales, while every council in Scotland saw Remain majorities.

 

Patrick Holden is the leader of the Online MA in International Relations: Security and Development at the University of Plymouth and an Associate Professor of International Relations and Politics.

Register on Eventbrite HERE.

If you require wheelchair access please email info@plymouthathenaeum.co.uk in advance.

Thursday, 21 May 2026 (7.30pm)

The Brazil nut is harvested sustainably from one of the tallest trees in the Amazonrainforest, providing income that encourages forest protection. In this lecture Prof Sir Ghillean Prance explores the tree’s biology, its pollination by orchid bees, seed dispersal by agoutis, how the nuts are harvested and marketed, as well as the myths and legends associated with them among several Indigenous tribes.

The lecture will highlight the ecology, economy, and ethnobotany of one of the most important trees in the Amazon rainforest.

Sir Ghillean is a world-renowned scientist, former director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and Fellow of the Royal Society.

As a botanist, Prof Prance has travelled and conducted research extensively in South America, with a focus on sustainability and management of the environment through increasing our knowledge and understanding of the plant kingdom.

Knighted in 1995, he was president of the Linnean Society from 1997-2000, having been made a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1993. His other honours include the Victoria Medal of Honour (1999), the Patron’s Medal of the Royal Geographical Society (1994).

In 2000 he was made a Commander of the Order of the Southern Cross by the President of Brazil, and in 2012 he was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays and Neck Ribbon by the Government of Japan.

Sir Ghillean is President of the Plymouth Athenaeum and a direct descendant of one of the Society’s founding Presidents of 1812, William Prance.

Register on Eventbrite HERE.

If you require wheelchair access please email info@plymouthathenaeum.co.uk in advance.