Have you ever wanted to know more about the history of the literary and scientific institutions such as BRLSI? This talk explores the rich history of Britain’s Literary and Scientific Institutions, from their earliest inception in the 1780s to their heyday in the mid-nineteenth century.

Dr Martha Vandrei (University of Exeter) & Dr Heather Ellis (University of Sheffield), share their research about these important yet neglected organisations and reveal the vital part they played in an era of social and intellectual change.

As the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution celebrates its 200th anniversary, we ask: what about the other such organisations across Britain? How did these once so popular organisations come into being – and then fall into decline?