W.E. Gladstone: The Grand Old Man in Nottinghamshire
This exhibition ran from December 2009 to March 2010.
The exhibition was produced by Manuscripts and Special Collections in collaboration with Nottinghamshire Archives. The academic curator was Dr Richard Gaunt of the School of History.
William Ewart Gladstone, who was Prime Minister of Britain and Ireland four times between 1868 and 1894, was in later life popularly known as the ‘Grand Old Man’. The exhibition marked the bicentenary of his birth (29 December 1809), and celebrated his longstanding Nottinghamshire associations through pictures, cartoons, letters and publications.
Returned to Parliament as MP for Newark, after the Great Reform Act of 1832, Gladstone became closely involved with the Dukes of Newcastle of Clumber and their neighbours. This connection continued after Gladstone retired from his Newark seat in 1846. As a trustee of the Newcastle Estate he played a role in the development of Nottingham Castle and the Park estate. A direct link with the early history of the University of Nottingham is seen in an illustration of him taking part in the 1877 foundation ceremony of University College.
Read a longer biography of Gladstone
Exhibition themes
The exhibition boards which were displayed in the Weston Gallery are available to download in PDF format
They present images and text on the following themes:
- W.E. Gladstone: The Grand Old Man in Nottinghamshire
- Gladstone and the Corn Laws
- Gladstone and Slavery
- The People's William
- Gladstone Commemorated
- Gladstone and Political Cartoons
- Gladstone and Newark
Visitor comments
Fascinating and informative. Well done.
Extremely interesting. Did not know anything beforehand about these Nottingham connections.
Again-an amazing exhibition. We have such a depth of history and great that part of it is displayed here regularly. Keep up the good work.
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