Historian says the year 1759 should be as well known as 1066 in Britain
The year 1759 should be as well known as 1066 in the history of Britain, according to historian Frank McLynn.
While we all learn in school about the Norman Conquest and King Harold's defeat at Hastings, Britain's considerable achievements at home and abroad 250 years ago are not given the credit they deserve, said Frank McLynn.
British victories over the French in India and Canada helped secure the early expansion of the empire, he said, while closer to home the British Museum and Kew Gardens opened, both important civic developments.
Commercially, both Wedgwood - which has just gone into administration - and Guinness (in Ireland) were established.
McLynn, who has written 1759: The Year Britain Became Master of the World, said the year should "be as well known in British history as 1066".
He believed 1759 surpassed other better-known dates in terms of its real impact on British history.
Read entire article at Telegraph (UK)
While we all learn in school about the Norman Conquest and King Harold's defeat at Hastings, Britain's considerable achievements at home and abroad 250 years ago are not given the credit they deserve, said Frank McLynn.
British victories over the French in India and Canada helped secure the early expansion of the empire, he said, while closer to home the British Museum and Kew Gardens opened, both important civic developments.
Commercially, both Wedgwood - which has just gone into administration - and Guinness (in Ireland) were established.
McLynn, who has written 1759: The Year Britain Became Master of the World, said the year should "be as well known in British history as 1066".
He believed 1759 surpassed other better-known dates in terms of its real impact on British history.