What Does Democracy Feel Like?
About
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
Date
Wednesday 30 July 2025 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM (UTC+10)Location
Brunswick Library
Brunswick Town Hall, 233 Sydney Road, Brunswick Vic 3056
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What Does Democracy Feel Like?
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