The Simons of Manchester
How One Family Shaped a City and a Nation
Published on 24. September 2024
Book
Hardback
336 pages
978-1-5261-7638-7 (ISBN)
Description
The Simons of Manchester revives the history of one of Manchester's most influential families, the Simons. The book investigates the lives and public work of Henry and Emily Simon, and Ernest and Shena Simon. Through philanthropy and work in social reform, the two generations of the Simons greatly enriched Manchester's cultural and civic institutions, worked to improve the lives of its citizens, and helped to spearhead profound national reforms in health, housing, planning and education. While many people in Manchester are familiar with the Simon name through Shena Simon College, Simonsway, and the Simon Building at the University of Manchester, there is scant public knowledge of who the Simons were and their legacy. As such, this edited volume of collected essays aims to illuminate their fascinating lives and public service to rehabilitate the Simons and examine their local and national significance.
An electronic edition of this book is freely available under a Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND) licence. -- .
An electronic edition of this book is freely available under a Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND) licence. -- .
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Manchester
United Kingdom
Illustrations
101 black-and-white illustrations and 15 colour plates (8pp)
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 161 mm
Thickness: 26 mm
Weight
906 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-5261-7638-7 (9781526176387)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
John Ayshford is a Doctoral Researcher in History at the University of Manchester
Martin Dodge is a Senior Lecturer in Geography at the University of Manchester
Stuart Jones (H.S. Jones) is a Professor of Intellectual History at the University of Manchester
Diana Leitch MBE is a former Deputy University Librarian of the John Rylands University Library of Manchester
Janet Wolff is Professor Emerita in the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures at the University of Manchester -- .
Martin Dodge is a Senior Lecturer in Geography at the University of Manchester
Stuart Jones (H.S. Jones) is a Professor of Intellectual History at the University of Manchester
Diana Leitch MBE is a former Deputy University Librarian of the John Rylands University Library of Manchester
Janet Wolff is Professor Emerita in the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures at the University of Manchester -- .
Content
Foreword
Margaret and Matilda Simon
Introduction
The editors
Part I: Cosmopolitan Manchester and the Simons
1. Context, cosmopolitanism and connectivity: The German diaspora in Manchester
Margaret Littler
2. The appeal of a Buddha: Henry Simon, industrialist and philanthropist (1835-99)
Janet Wolff
3. Her compass always pointed to service: The life of Emily Simon (1858-1920)
Diana Leitch
4. The shy campaigner: The life of Ernest Simon, politician and social reformer (1879-1960)
John Ayshford and Brendon Jones
5. A confirmed outsider: The life of Shena Simon, feminist and education campaigner (1883-1972)
John Ayshford and Brendon Jones
Colour plates
Part II: The Simons' contribution to society
6. Busy making good money: the development of the Simon engineering businesses
Martin Dodge
7. Shena Simon: Feminism, civic patriotism, and the strength of local government
Charlotte Wildman
8. Building Jerusalem: The Simons' role in housing reform and town planning
Steven V. Ward and Martin Dodge
9. Burghers and citizens: The Simons and the University of Manchester
H.S. Jones and Chris Godden
Conclusion
The editors -- .
Margaret and Matilda Simon
Introduction
The editors
Part I: Cosmopolitan Manchester and the Simons
1. Context, cosmopolitanism and connectivity: The German diaspora in Manchester
Margaret Littler
2. The appeal of a Buddha: Henry Simon, industrialist and philanthropist (1835-99)
Janet Wolff
3. Her compass always pointed to service: The life of Emily Simon (1858-1920)
Diana Leitch
4. The shy campaigner: The life of Ernest Simon, politician and social reformer (1879-1960)
John Ayshford and Brendon Jones
5. A confirmed outsider: The life of Shena Simon, feminist and education campaigner (1883-1972)
John Ayshford and Brendon Jones
Colour plates
Part II: The Simons' contribution to society
6. Busy making good money: the development of the Simon engineering businesses
Martin Dodge
7. Shena Simon: Feminism, civic patriotism, and the strength of local government
Charlotte Wildman
8. Building Jerusalem: The Simons' role in housing reform and town planning
Steven V. Ward and Martin Dodge
9. Burghers and citizens: The Simons and the University of Manchester
H.S. Jones and Chris Godden
Conclusion
The editors -- .