This soiled and stained copy was probably one of the earliest publications of the London Mechanic's Institution. The attribution to the London branch comes from the printer, Richard Taylor of
Creative Commons LicenseJeremy Norman Collection of Images - Creative Commons
This soiled and stained copy was probably one of the earliest publications of the London Mechanic's Institution. The attribution to the London branch comes from the printer, Richard Taylor of Shoe Lane in London.
Contents of the Mechanic's Institution pamphlet.
Creative Commons LicenseJeremy Norman Collection of Images - Creative Commons
Mr. Taylor identified himself as the printer on the verso of the title page.
Detail map of Liverpool, England, United Kingdom,Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom,London, England, United Kingdom Overview map of Liverpool, England, United Kingdom,Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom,London, England, United Kingdom

A: Liverpool, England, United Kingdom, B: Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom, C: London, England, United Kingdom

George Birkbeck Founds the London Mechanics' Institution

12/1823
Sir George Birkbeck, founder of the London Mechanics

Sir George Birkbeck, founder of the London Mechanics' Institution which evolved into Birkbeck, University of London. (Engraving by Henry Allard).

In December 1823 George Birkbeck founded the London Mechanics' Institution with the support of Jeremy Bentham, J.C. Hobhouse and Henry Brougham, to provide technical education for working people and professionals. Birkbeck had previously established the first Mechanics' Institution in Edinburgh in October 1821, a second in Liverpool in July 1823, and a third in Glasgow in November 1823. These and later institutes revolutionized access to education in science and technology for ordinary working people.

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