Biographicon is a cultural psychogeography of the Northern Enlightenment

“The Goths fancied that the souls of the illustrious dead were transmuted into flame; and that tomb-fires ascended from the graves of heroes, which became stars in the firmament. Such a transmutation the eminent really undergo by the record of their lives: thenceforth, like the lamps in cities, they blaze in the eyes of men, and guide the steps of each successive passenger along the nobler paths of human life.”

– William Taylor of Norwich

Latest Podcasts

01. What is Biographicon?

In this trailer, I introduce myself and the cast of characters that will appear in the upcoming Biographicon podcasts.

02. Psychogeography and Thomas Spence, with Alastair Bonnett

Be warned – you may risk arrest if you listen to this podcast! Join human geographer Alastair Bonnett on a psychogeographic tour of Newcastle upon Tyne seen through the mind of the radical Thomas Spence.

03. Joseph Ritson’s Revolution, with Jon Mee

Professor Jon Mee joins me in this episode to talk about the cantankerous northern antiquarian Joseph Ritson, the man who is responsible for making Robin Hood a champion of the poor.

04. Mind your grammar! Barbara Crosbie on Anne Fisher

In this episode, Barbara Crosbie and I talk about why modern English's first female grammarian Anne Fisher was such a trailblazer, and the work Barbara has done to revive interest in this significant northern figure.

05. The Ephemeral Tate Wilkinson, with Gillian Russell

In this episode, I talk with cultural historian Gillian Russell about Wilkinson, York and the ephemerality of eighteenth-century theatre and performance.

06. William Shield: no Geordie Dick Whittington, with Amélie Addison

In this episode Dr Amélie Addison reveals new findings about the prolific musician and composer William Shield.

07. William Newton and the North’s Rural Renaissance, with Richard Pears

Richard Pears and I discuss William Newton, arguably the North-East of England's first home-grown 'modern' architect.

08. Preach It! Rachel Hammersley on James Murray

In this episode Rachel Hammersley joins me in Newcastle’s Lit and Phil to talk about the Presbyterian preacher and writer James Murray who helped to radicalise the region.

09. The Cumberland Bard, with Sue Allan on Robert Anderson

In this episode independent scholar Dr Sue Allan discusses one of the most significant dialect poets of Georgian Northern England, Robert Anderson.

10. Sarah Hodgson a radical type, with Helen Williams

In this episode I am joined by Helen Williams, a specialist in eighteenth-century book history to find out about the Newcastle-born printer, newspaper editor and radical Sarah Hodgson.

11. Charles Avison the music maker, with Roz Southey

This episode features musicologist Roz Southey talking about the Newcastle composer and organist Charles Avison who was at the heart of the music trade in the eighteenth-century North East.

12. James Field Stanfield and the Art of Biography, with Declan McCormack

In this episode I look at the actor James Field Stanfield who made Sunderland his home in the 1790s where he promoted the abolition of slavery and founded the town's first subscription library.

News Updates

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One Durham Gallery

Biographicon features in an exhibition to launch the ‘One Durham Gallery’ at Palace Green Library, Durham.

The Durham Company

Declan McCormack was invited to give a paper about the Durham Theatre Company and its impact on the region to the Georgian North Group at Durham University (26.6.25).

Richmond Players on the Boards

Declan McCormack was invited to give a talk to the Richmond Civic Society about Samuel Butler’s Theatre Company at the Georgian Theatre Royal in Richmond, North Yorkshire (5.3.25). Declan provided research material and advised on the Butler Company for the theatre’s new museum and visitor centre ’The Georgian Theatre Experience’ which won a White Rose Award upon opening. The ‘White Rose’ is the largest tourism event of its kind in the UK.

 

Latest Biographies

Ann Allan (1717-1785)

Ann Allan of Blackwell Grange was a prominent local philanthropist and friend to local personalities.

Ann Wheeler (1734-1804)

Ann Wheeler is a rare example of a Westmoreland dialect writer.

Anne Slack (née Fisher)(1719-1778)

Anne Slack was Britain's first modern English-language grammarian, an entrepreneur, and wife of Newcastle printer, Thomas Slack.

Charles Avison (1709-1770)

Charles Avison who was born and lived in Newcastle upon Tyne was the most prolific English concerto composer of the eighteenth century.

Charlotte Lowes / Deans (1768-1859)

Charlotte Lowes was a strolling player who worked across the north of England and left a valuable memoir of her career.

David Erskine Baker (1730-1767)

David Erskine Baker - actor, freemason and social mover

Edward Moises (1763-1845)

The linguist Reverend Edward Moises was Master of Newcastle's Royal Grammar School and a founder of the town's Literary and Philosophical Society.

Francis Gentleman (1728-1784)

Francis Gentleman was an Irish actor, poet, playwright and critic.

Francis Gibson (1753-1805)

The Whitby collector of customs Francis Gibson was a poet, playwright and fellow of the Society of Antiquaries.

Francis Jollie (1755-1820)

The improver and printer Francis Jollie established Carlisle's first newspaper and published the first directory of Cumberland.

George Allan (1736-1800)

Antiquary and printer George Allan was an influential cultural figure in the Northeast

George Cuit the Elder (1743-1818)

George Cuit the Elder painted landcapes for gentry familes in the North Riding of Yorkshire.

George Frederick Cooke (1756-1812)

Raised in Berwick-upon-Tweed George Frederick Cooke was “arguably the first true British romantic actor".

George Garbutt (1791-1859)

George Garbutt was from Sunderland and a local historian and freemason

George Greive (1748-1809)

Alnwick-born George Greive was a radical political agitator in England, America and France.