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

1. What is Biographicon?

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

2. 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 psychogeograhic tour of Newcastle upon Tyne seen through the mind of the radical Thomas Spence.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

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

In this episode Richard Pears and I discuss William Newton, arguably Northern England's first home-grown architect

8. 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.

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 in her own right, and wife of Newcastle printer, Thomas Slack.

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

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.

George Allan (1736-1800)

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

George Garbutt (1791-1859)

George Garbutt was from Sunderland and a local historian and freemason

George W Meadley (1774-1818)

GW Meadley was a literary figure in eighteenth-century Sunderland