Solstice and Equinox Series: Cottonopolis – the origins of global Manchester
Join Creative Manchester, one of The University of Manchester Research Platforms, at the next event in the Solstice and Equinox series as they explore Manchester’s cotton industry and its global connections. Cottonopolis examines how 18th-century Manchester was transformed into a manufacturing centre at the heart of Britain’s expanding cotton trade – a city so closely associated with the industry that it became known as “Cottonopolis.”
Date and Time: Thursday, 23 April, 6:30 – 7:45 pm
Location: John Rylands Research Institute and Library, 150 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3EH
In this panel discussion, David Olusoga OBE, Professor of Public History at The University of Manchester, will be joined by Edmond Smith, Professor of Economic Cultures at The University of Manchester, and Cassandra Gooptar, University of Hull. Together they will reflect on how Manchester’s rapid industrial growth was shaped by connections to India, Africa and the Americas – connections that provided raw materials, labour, markets and capital. Ahead of the event, attendees are invited to view the exhibition Cottonopolis: The Origins of Global Manchester at the John Rylands Library, curated by Professor Edmond Smith as part of his research for his new book, Ruthless: A New History of Britain’s Rise to Wealth and Power, 1600–1800. The exhibition runs until 9 May 2026.