Unlocking the world's first Shakespeare Library: 'Everything to Everybody' Project
To mark the launch of a major new project inspired by Birmingham's lost prophet - George Dawson, founder of the city's pioneering Shakespeare Library, History West Midands has released a film in which Tristram Hunt, Director of the V&A Museum, gives his take on who Dawson was and why he still matters today.
Hunt is the author of Building Jerusalem: The Rise and Fall of the Victorian City (2004) - the major modern statement of Dawson's and Birmingham's importance to the development of a new post-industrial civilization. He and History West Midlands support the 'Everything to Everybody' Project, which is led by Professor Ewan Fernie of the University of Birmingham working in collaboration with Birmingham City Council.
'Everything to Everybody' has received an initial grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to develop an ambitious plan of activities using Birmingham’s forgotten past to inspire our future, and unlocking the world’s first great people’s Shakespeare Library for all.