Ten things I learnt from editing the diaries of Anthony Hewitson - Online talk

A FREE talk on Zoom by Dr Andrew Hobbs, discussing the diaries of Anthony Hewitson, Victorian journalist, owner of the Preston Chronicle and author.

The diaries of Anthony Hewitson were purchased by the Friends of Lancashire Archives in 2006. They paint a vivid picture of Preston and beyond in the second half of the 19th century, as well as Hewitson's home life. They have a huge significance as the only known surviving diaries of a regional newspaper editor. Hewitson also wrote 20 books including a History of Preston.

Andrew Hobbs has edited the diaries for publication and will discuss his findings, including the practicalities of editing historical documents, the strengths and weaknesses of 'life writing' as a historical source, and his personal feelings about Hewitson, after 20 years of working on his diaries.

Dr Hobbs is a retired lecturer and former journalist, specialising in the history of the 19th century local newspaper. His 2019 book, A Fleet Street in Every Town: The provincial press in England, 1855-1900, won the 2020 Colby Prize for best book on the nineteenth-century press.

Booking closes on 27 October at 7pm. The Zoom link will be sent to the email used in the booking two days before the event.

This event is part of the Friends of Lancashire Archives' 40th anniversary celebrations. The Friends were happy to contribute to the recent publication of the second volume of the diaries.