New book illuminates the lives of one of Manchester鈥檚 most influential families
As the University continues to celebrate its bicentenary, a group of experts from The University of Manchester are seeking to revive the history of one of the city鈥檚 most influential families through the publication of a new book: .
Published this week by , the volume investigates the lives and public work of Henry and Emily Simon, and Ernest and Shena Simon, a family shaped by their German ancestry and 91直播鈥檚 mercantile class.
The book is written by , Senior Lecture in Geography, , Doctoral Researcher in History, Dr Diana Leitch MBE, former Deputy University Librarian of the John Rylands Library, , Professor of Intellectual History, and , Professor Emerita in the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures.
Although many in 91直播 are familiar with the Simon name 鈥� through the University鈥檚 Simon Building, Simonsway in Wythenshawe and the 91直播 College鈥檚 Shena Simon Campus 鈥� the family themselves are often overlooked in favour of other prolific local individuals. This volume aims to boost their profile by illuminating their deep contributions to public life, both locally and nationally.
The book aims to study the family collectively, by highlighting the marriages of Henry and Emily and of Ernest and Shena as strong partnerships in which the women played important roles not just as mothers and housewives but also as philanthropists, activists and public figures.
Dr Diana Leitch said: 鈥淓mily Simon was one of the first women to be awarded an OBE in 1920, shortly before she died aged 60, for her tireless work at the Red Cross Hospital she ran in her home in very tragic personal circumstances. It was a tribute to her courage and resilience through the First World War.鈥�
鈥淭he four Simons left an indelible mark on their home city and on Britain too. Not only were they pioneering industrialists, but they were also a family possessed by a sense of public duty which drove them to make profound improvements to the living conditions and educational opportunities for millions of people.鈥�
The first section of the volume, 鈥楥osmopolitan 91直播 and the Simons鈥�, focuses on the four Simons as individuals; the four biographical chapters are framed by a study of Manchester鈥檚 German community. The second part, 鈥楾he Simons鈥� contribution to society鈥�, emphasises the family as a unit and spotlights their economic, social and political endeavours in 91直播.
In a later chapter, 鈥楤urghers and citizens: The Simons and the University of Manchester鈥� Professor Stuart Jones and Dr Professor Chris Godden examine the relationship between the University and the Simon family. Ernest and Shena were at the heart of the University for many decades, and the family have a long connection with the institution and its precursors.
In 1898, as a leading benefactor, Henry Simon was asked to lay the foundation stone for the new Physics Laboratories for Owens College, later integrated in 1903 into The University of Manchester. It was in these same laboratories that Ernest Rutherford, Hans Geiger and their colleagues first split the atom.
Ernest Simon鈥檚 substantial personal investment in social science research - notably through the Simon fellowship scheme - was conceived as a contribution to the cause of citizenship education, to which he devoted much of his public work from the 1930s onwards.
Professor Stuart Jones comments: 鈥淎s a senior lay officer at the University for a quarter of a century, as a leading benefactor, and as a practically-minded thinker, Ernest Simon did more than anyone in his time to sustain a vision of what it meant to be a civic university: a university for the city.鈥�
The family greatly enriched 91直播鈥檚 cultural and civic institutions, worked to improve the lives of its citizens and helped to spearhead profound national reforms in healthcare, women鈥檚 rights, housing, civic planning and education.
- Read the full text of The Simons of Manchester .