History – The Development of Brighton – Fishing Town to Fashionable Resort

COURSE OVERVIEW

Special features of Brighton’;s unique development – from early life on the downs to vibrant twentieth century. We view how a small, poor fishing town emerged into a large fashionable resort.

We discuss Brighton’;s history from early times to Georgian and into contemporary life, looking at particular aspects that have made the town an unusual and unique resort, including its ‘racy’; image, and emergence into modern society.

We study the town’;s social life, poverty and slum housing, and how rapid expansion causes problems as well as prosperity.

Brighton has a rich architectural heritage which we explore, and see how buildings such as theatres, dance halls and skating rinks helped to mould its image; as well as the many shops, factories and industries. Cultural life in Brighton has always featured highly, from music hall, to racing and cinema-going. Wartime impacted highly on a town renowned for entertainment and accommodating many visitors looking to enjoy the piers, palace and bracing sea air.

Illustrated with slideshows, books, historic maps, extracts from local guide books, prints and video.

Tutor: Sarah Tobias. This course runs on a Tuesday evening 1830-2030.

N.B. History courses may contain outdated attitudes, cultural depictions and language which cause offence today. They have to be viewed from an historic perspective. When discussing the content these views are not those of the tutor.