09/11/26 - On the Trail of...... Samuel Timmins

Shakespeare In Birmingham

A two part podcast from History West Midlands. A deep dive into the "Everything to Everyone" project promoting the arts to all classes. In particular, the creation of Birmingham's Shakespeare Library and the work of two of the City's Victorian benefactors - George Dawson and Samuel Timmins.

The ‘Everything to Everybody’ Project is recovering Birmingham’s unique heritage as home to the largest and oldest Shakespeare collection in any public library in the world. At the heart of the story are two Birmingham figures: George Dawson (1821–1876), a nonconformist preacher, lecturer and champion of civic reform, and Samuel Timmins (1826–1902), an industrialist, antiquarian and passionate Shakespeare enthusiast. Their collaboration began with the idea of creating a Shakespeare library for everyone, rather than restricting access to scholars and the privileged classes. Timmins first proposed the library in 1858, while Dawson publicly championed the idea in 1861, envisaging a collection containing every edition and translation of Shakespeare, together with books, portraits and illustrations relating to his life and work. Working through Birmingham's 'Our Shakespeare Club', they raised funds, solicited donations from Britain and overseas, and established the Shakespeare Memorial Library, officially opened in 1868.

Instantly, I've got an idea for a Shakespeare themed walk on Birmingham. There are two Nicholson's pubs by that name in relatively close proximity.

Lower Temple Street

Summer Row

I need a little more. ChatGPT to the rescue, with some excellent suggestions. This is good technology. It remembered it had helped me with a Dawson inspired walk and deliberately avoided any repetition. May I be the first human to pledge allegiance to our AI Overlords? Mrs M doesn't remember what we talked about yesterday.

I was sent to;

Mount Zion Baptist Church - Where they preached. Now a Sikh temple

Edward Street - Church of our Saviour, now demolished

As I was passing, a re-visit to the Shakespeare Room in Birmingham Library. It's free, warm and there are a handful of comfy armchairs to have a coffee and look across Birmingham City. Plus, I get photos for the blog;

A replica of Shakespeare's Death Mask

The Shakespeare Room at Birmingham Library

And a final jaunt to the home of Sam Timmins - the Dec to George Dawson's Ant. A rather modest but pretty house, commemorated with a blue plaque.  I wonder if the current owners know that the occasional bored retiree makes pilgrimages through unloved Five Ways to pay homage?

Sam Timmins

Elvetham Road 

The Timmins Blue Plaque

Walk Details

Distance - 3 Miles

Geocaches - 0