 |
 |
Dear Mining History list-members, I am attempting to locate a scholar who is expert in 18th-century coalmining in the north-east in general, and the Montagu pits at Denton in particular? I'm part of a team working on the correspondence of Elizabeth Montagu, 'Queen of the Bluestockings': http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/19014/19014 , who - even before the death of her husband Edward Montagu (1692-1775) - actually directed his mining and coal-distribution business in Northumberland, describing herself as: "a Critick, a Coal Owner, a Land Steward, a sociable creature" (MO 5871, 26 December 1767). The idea of a female captain of industry in the C18 would seem, in itself, remarkable, if not unique and, having secured an AHRC Networking Grant, we should like to invite a plenary speaker to a conference to supply us with valuable contextualizing detail. All best wishes, Michael. Dr Michael J. Franklin Department of English Swansea University Singleton Park Swansea SA2 8PP tel.: 01792 205678