The Chamberlain News

Conference to mark centenary of Joseph Chamberlain’s death

To mark an end to Devolution Week on the Files, we are happy to announce RJF Public Affairs is supporting Newman University’s special conference to mark the centenary of Joseph Chamberlain’s death in July.

The two-day event, which is organised by Newman University and sponsored by Severn Trent Water, takes place on Friday 4 and Saturday 5 July and is split between Newman’s campus in Bartley Green and the Library of Birmingham. We will be following events through our J Chamberlain twitter channel. 

Titled ‘Joseph Chamberlain: Imperial Standard Bearer; National Leader; Local Icon‘, it features a series of guest speakers, panel debates and location visits designed to showcase different aspects of Chamberlain’s life, as well as a special conference dinner at Highbury Hall that will provide insights into the private life of one of the most significant politicians in recent history.

Dr Ian Cawood, head of history at Newman University and the driving force behind the conference, said: “Whatever your view of his politics – and he was certainly a divisive character – Joseph Chamberlain was one of the defining politicians of his age and a real advocate for Birmingham on both the national and international stage.

“A city industrialist, he didn’t benefit from the university education of many of his peers, entering the House of Commons relatively late at the age of 39. But he was active during a time of unprecedented social and political change and made a real impression at local, national and international level…reflected in the fact we have speakers attending the conference from as far away as South Africa and New Zealand to share their views!

“While Chamberlain was politically active over 100 years ago, many of the issues he grappled with remain extremely pertinent today; not least his role shaping the Liberal party, experiences of coalition government, proposed changes to regional government and even the state of the union.

“We’re delighted to have secured a fantastic line up of speakers for the conference who will really bring some of these issues to life. With a general election just around the corner and campaigning well and truly underway, it’s sure to be lively and we’re looking forward to welcoming a number of well-known faces – including the Minister of State for Cities and Constitution Greg Clark MP – to join the debate!”

The conference is organised by Newman University in collaboration with the Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Labour History Groups, the Library of Birmingham, Birmingham Museums Trust, the Centre for West Midland History at the University of Birmingham and the Lunar Society of Birmingham.

The first day of the conference will focus on Chamberlain’s national and international career while the second will address his local significance. All events are open to members of the public, with ticket prices starting from just £25 (£15 for students and the unwaged).

For further details, visit the website or contact Emma Board on 0121 476 1181.

We will be following the conference on twitter @chamberlainfile as well as here on the Files.