The cult of celebrity and the burgeoning
influence of newspapers on the consumer were exploited to potent effect
by the 18th-century quack. One such figure was the Chevalier
Bartholomew Ruspini, a flamboyant character, who was appointed
Surgeon-Dentist to the Prince of Wales in 1787. He established the Royal
Cumberland Freemasons’ School, which was first located near where St
Pancras Station now stands.
Another colourful personality was the
transvestite French spy known as the Chevalier d’Eon. The Chevalier
d’Eon was such a successful female impersonator that there was feverish
speculation on the Stock Exchange for many years over his true sex. He
was buried in St Pancras Churchyard. Cartoonist and author Adrian Teal
will tell you more about these remarkable men, and the world they
inhabited.
Lecture by Adrian Teal
To purchase tickets online, please make a minimum donation of £10 per ticket (or £7.50 for students, with student card) and include your name and number of tickets required. Tickets will be held under your name at the door.
Bar opens at 6:30pm and the lecture begins at 7pm. Please do stay afterwards, for the chance to ask questions of our speaker and join us for a drink.