What Does Democracy Feel Like?
John Emmerson and the history of freedom of speech in 17th century England
Speaker: Dr Ruby Lowe
In State Library Victoria there sits a formidable collection of parliamentary speeches and ephemera from the English Civil Wars, Revolution and Republic (1642–1660). These pamphlets tell the history of the emergence of a democratic model of Freedom of Speech in the English – speaking world and were massed by Melbourne collector John Emmerson QC (1938–2014). Dr Ruby Lowe will trace the 17th – century debates over who had the right to Freedom of Speech and propose that we should understand
Emmerson’s practice of collecting cheap print as based in a 17th century model of purchasing and experiencing the news.
Presented by: Rare Books Melbourne and Merri – Bek Libraries
at Brunswick Library, Brunswick Town Hall, 233 Sydney Road, Brunswick
Additional Details
Organiser
Merri-Bek Libraries provide the library services via five libraries in the City of Merri-Bek which serve Brunswick, Coburg, Fawkner, Glenroy and Pascoe Vale.
Venue
Brunswick Library is at the corner of Sydney Road and Dawson Street, Brunswick in the City of Merri-Bek.
