About this event
In the event that online bookings for this event have sold out, you may still be able to attend on the day. Please note however that walk‑in slots are offered on a first‑come, first‑served basis after ticket-holders have been seated and depend on venue capacity.
About this talk
When: Wednesday 22 April, 12.30pm to 1.30pm
Join us for a lively lunchtime dive into 'Pirates, Punters, and Politicians: How the Bank of England Was Founded', a vivid retelling of the unlikely origins of the Bank of England.
"A pirate is not all that different from a financier, and a financier is always a storyteller."
In Pirates, Punters, and Politicians, Val Hamilton vividly tells the story of the origins of the Bank of England, delving into the mishaps, fortunes, and bizarre twists of fate - from Spanish treasure and swashbucklers to sheer happenstance and political manoeuvring - that came together to create the Old Lady of Threadneedle Street.
The story hinges of the life and works of William Paterson, the Scotsman who founded the Bank. Chancer or genius? Author Val Hamilton suggests he had to be both.
About the speaker
Val Hamilton studied English Literature and Language at Manchester University before teaching in the UK, Denmark, and Boston, where she also worked with disadvantaged young people. Returning to London, Val lead a major action-research project aimed at improving services for young people in trouble. Building on this work, she studied Organisation Development at Sheffield Business School and went on to establish a specialist consultancy in the City of London, focusing on managing change and personal development.
Essential information:
- The event is free to attend, but booking is required.
- The talk will take place in the Museum's Learning Space, which is located at the back of the Museum adjacent to the Rotunda. A staff member at the Information Desk can advise on how to get there from the entrance.
- The talk will begin at 12.30pm. Please ensure you arrive promptly to the Museum's Learning Space for this time. Please note, there is airport-style security at the Museum's entrance.
- We cannot guarantee admittance if you are late for the talk, even if you have booked a ticket.
- If you were unable to book a ticket, you may still be able to attend on the day. Please note however that walk‑in slots are offered on a first‑come, first‑served basis after ticket-holders have been seated and depend on venue capacity. Otherwise, consider signing up to our newsletter via the link at the end of this page; all our subscribers receive early access tickets for our events.
- Seating is unallocated, unless stated otherwise. We encourage arriving to the Learning Space at 12.15pm to get a good seat.
- For access enquiries, visit our Museum's accessibility page.
