The Gladstone Umbrella



Friday July 15th to Sunday July 17th. 


Dear all,

We are very pleased to announce that the Gladstone Umbrella is set to return in July 2022!

Whether you’ve grown up with a love of history and Victoriana or you’re an academic with a penchant for the ‘Grand Old Man’, no matter your background the Gladstone Umbrella is the conference for you.

Friday July 15th to Sunday July 17th

The course package includes the conference and full board, bed and breakfast

Single Ensuite                                                            £330.00     (Clergy/student/SOA £294)

Double/Twin ensuite – double occupancy          £540.00     (Clergy/student/SOA £493)

Day delegate                                                               £220.00     (Clergy/student/SOA £207)

You can book your stay by email: [email protected] or by telephone 01244 532350 (please note: You can leave a message and we will call you back). Please note that the single ensuite rooms are limited.

The colloquium invites offers of papers on William Gladstone and the nineteenth century relating to politics, history and literature. In the past it has proved incredibly varied and we welcome all offers of papers for this year’s event, to be sent to David Brooks c/o Gill Wigglesworth.

Those presenting a paper will receive a discount of £20 off their package rate.


Friday, 15 July

4pm          Tea
4.45pm     Welcome and Introduction
5pm          David Brooks: Disraeli’s novels, religion and identity
6.15pm     A welcome drink in the Gladstone Room
7pm          Dinner
8pm          Suzette Hill: Gladstone and the Dilke difficulties

Saturday, 16 July

8.30am      Breakfast
9.30am      Jason Jackson: Magee of Peterborough, the militant bishop
10.15am    Jim McGowan: Daniel O’Connell – the Liberator
11am         Coffee
11.30am    Tony Little: Gladstone and the Franco-Prussian War
1pm           Lunch
2pm           Free time, with optional guided visit to St.Deiniol’s parish church (including                         Gladstone memorabilia) leaving reception at 2 pm
4pm           Tea
5.15pm      Catherine Burgass: Gladstone in the Potteries
6pm           Roland Quinault: Gladstone and Queen Victoria, part 2
7pm           Dinner
8pm           Gladstone Review (in the Gladstone room)

Sunday, 17 July

8.30am        Breakfast
10am           Roger Swift: Gladstone and Lowe
11am           Coffee
11.30am      Gladstone Quiz (with prize)
12.30pm      Final forum
1pm             Lunch and departure


David Brooks was educated at Bedford School and Emmanuel College, Cambridge, of which he later became a Fellow. His doctoral thesis was on Gladstone’s Fourth Ministry, 1892-94, and his published works include The Destruction of Lord Rosebery, 1894-95 and The Age of Upheaval: Edwardian politics, 1899-1914. For most of his career he has taught in the School of History at Queen Mary University of London.

A 50% deposit will be required to confirm the booking. We remain flexible with our cancellation policy due to COVID. 

We hope to hear from you soon and we look forward to welcoming you back to Gladstone’s Library for this very special event.