The event takes place in Middleton Hall.  Doors open at 5.30pm and the event starts at 6pm prompt. 

This event marks Hull's City of Culture year by celebrating the 300 'Hull lives' in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography with a panel discussion by experts and local celebrities, introduced by Professor Sir David Cannadine, acclaimed historian of Modern Britain and General Editor of the ODNB. 

Philip Larkin may be one of Hull's best-known recent residents, but this event marks Hull's City of Culture year by celebrating the 300 'Hull lives' in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography with a panel discussion by experts and local celebrities, introduced by Professor Sir David Cannadine, acclaimed historian of Modern Britain and General Editor of the ODNB.  To mark Hull’s City of Culture year, the latest update of the Oxford Dictionary for National Biography adds 39 lives, in 30 new articles, to the coverage of notable historic figures connected with Hull and its region, covering the East Riding of Yorkshire and the River Humber.  Named Kingston upon Hull under the charter granted by Edward I in 1299, Hull was designated a city to mark Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee in 1897.  The "Hull lives" included in the Dictionary had connections with Hull, whether by birth or baptism, education or residence, or death or burial.  These newly-added lives provide new insights into the evolution of the city and its global connections, as well as its local institutions and hinterland.

The panel takes as its remit the significance of Hull's place in the national biographical record, highlighting some of its more distinguished and unusual achievers, many with remarkable personal and public histories.   Chairing the Panel Discussion will be our Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Glenn Burgess, whose own academic research interests include the history of Tudor and Stuart England, the history of political thought, and philosophy and theory of history.

Other contributors include: 

• Alan Johnson ( former Labour MP for West Hull),
• Professor Jane Ridley (biographer and historian from the University of Buckingham/TV documentaries on the House of Windsor, Queen Victoria, Edward VII etc), and, 
• Dr David Neave (local architectural historian).  

Each panel member will speak on an aspect of biography and/or eminent Hull lives, and then the audience will be invited to ask questions.

Free Admission - All Welcome. Tickets are not issued, receipt of your confirmation email is confirmation that you have a place. 

A wine reception will follow.

There will also be an exhibition celebrating the 'New Hull Lives’ in the ‘Oxford Dictionary of National Biography’ in the Foyer area for attendees to view before and after the main event.  Whilst drinks are being enjoyed, we will also show a film of the exhibition on the large screen in the lecture theatre for those who prefer to sit down to enjoy viewing the exhibition.