Talks and Lectures

I offer a range of talks on themes relating to Somerset and British Hydrographic history.

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1. Somerset's Secret Chart Makers. The trials and tribulations of Top Secret chart making in Bath and Taunton during World War Two.
2. Somerset Maps and Charts through the ages. An illustrated wander through 700 years of history in maps and charts.
3. Somerset on the eve of Civil War. The road to Civil War and the loyalties of people on the eve of the war is a fascinating subject.

4. A Maritime History of Somerset. An illustrated talk looking at aspects of the county's maritime past.

5. A Somerset Scoundrel. The life and times of Thomas Spigurnell, 1633-1663. Described as a "creature of the times", his life as an attorney, money lender, surveyor, gentleman farmer, Parliamentarian and persistent bringer of court cases is brought to light.

6. Devon's Royal Hydrographer. The life and times of Captain Greenvile Collins RN, the man who produced the first atlas of charts for the British Isles, published in 1694 and became Britain's first Royal Hydrographer.

7. Inside the Archive: a look at the UK Hydrographic Archive, 1620-1970. An illustrated talk showing the locations, contents and history behind the collection.

8. Captain Hurd’s hydrographic survey of Bermuda, 1788-1797.

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DATA PROJECTOR & SCREEN NEEDED.
Tel: 07443 567136 • email: somersethistorian@gmail.com
19 Kirke Grove, Taunton, TA2 8SB

Biographical

Dr Adrian Webb is an independent author, researcher, lecturer and publisher. He has written and lectured extensively on a range of subjects including Somerset's maritime history, Taunton Castle, the Admiralty's Hydrographic Department in World War Two, Somerset maps and charts, Bermuda, a Somerset scoundrel and much more. He is a Fellow of the British Cartographic Society and of the Royal Historical Society. He holds an MA and PhD from the University of Exeter. He worked for the UK Hydrographic Office from 1988-2023.

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For more information please email:

somersethistorian@gmail.com

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