The Useful Knowledge of William Hutton. Culture and industry in eighteenth century Birmingham

Notes:

Scholarly work exploring the wide world and motivations of William Hutton in the industry and culture of Birmingham, reconciling his enthusiasm as a self made man for making money with his passion for writing and reading as a prolific author. Considers this in the wider context of the relationship of industry and culture in an industrialising city - 'Birmingham's industry and culture are like two sides of its newly minted coin, and hence inseparable'. Chapters include: 'Hutton's childhood - finding a pathway out of poverty'; ''Rough diamonds' - a new social category'; 'Hutton becomes a bookseller - Birmingham's print culture'; 'Hutton rises in the world - attitudes to land, trade, money and religion'; 'Hutton as an author - 'the pleasures of writing is inconceivable''; 'Hutton and the Priestley Riots - writing to defend a life'. Includes Hutton family tree.