Dean Kirby's Blog

This week I started a PhD at Manchester Metropolitan University’s Manchester Centre for Regional History. The subject? Angel Meadow. I’ll be studying the origins and persistence of the slum, and trying to find out more about the people who lived there. I’ll use this blog to publicise some of my findings as I go along. The book is now a key text … Continue reading Angel Meadow PhD research

It’s been a quiet few months for the book after the hectic round of talks and other events last year – a time to pause and take stock. The paperback edition is still flying on Amazon and has had 45 five-star reviews so far. I’ve been amazed at how well received it has been and … Continue reading Taking stock

Enjoyed giving a guest lecture tonight at the Manchester Metropolitan University for friends of the Manchester Centre for Regional History. Biggest turnout yet for one of my Angel Meadow events. A huge audience and a fair bit of wine was imbibed as well. Thanks to everyone who came along.

  Weavers from Manchester’s Angel Meadow slum were among the thousands of protesters who marched to St Peter’s Fields on 16 August, 1819, only to be cut down during the Peterloo Massacre. Here’s an extract from my book, Angel Meadow: Victorian Britain’s Most Savage Slum, which tells the story of some of the Mancunians who […]

Spent a good afternoon today doing a talk about Angel Meadow and family history at Manchester Central Library for around 80 members of the Manchester and Lancashire Family History Society. Thanks to everyone who came along.

Had a great time last Saturday talking to people about Angel Meadow and running a bookstall at Manchester Town Hall for the Manchester Histories Festival celebration day. Met so many people who had ancestors who lived in Angel Meadow. On Monday night, I also did a reading and talk for a packed crowd at The Portico Library on Mosley Street […]

Angel Meadow has had some brilliant coverage in Your Family History magazine today with a two-page  Meet the Author feature. It’s an interesting read for anyone wanting to find out why I became interested in Angel Meadow and how I wrote the book. The magazine also features a cracking review of Angel Meadow, which says: “Many […]

I’m looking forward to giving a talk and holding an Angel Meadow bookstall at Manchester Town Hall this Saturday as part of Manchester Histories Festival. I’ll be among nearly 90 exhibitors promoting the history and heritage of Greater Manchester as part of the festival’s celebration day. The talk starts at 11am. It’s free, but tickets […]

Very proud today after leading two tour groups around Angel Meadow with fantastic tour guide Emma Fox as part of the Angel Meadow Community History Day during Manchester Histories Festival. Really enjoyed bringing the book to life and sharing stories about some of the slum’s characters. Big thanks to Emma and everyone who came along on […]