State Library of NSW Seminar
“History’s Most Important Document? The 800th Anniversary of the Magna Carta”

Date: Thursday 7 May 2015
Time: 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Venue: Dixson Room, Ground Floor, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW
Cost: Free. Click here to book

The signing of Magna Carta in 1215 marked an important step in the movement away from arbitrary, monarchical rule towards responsible, constitutional government. By the end of the eighteenth century Englishmen had come to believe strongly in the principles of trial by jury and no taxation without representation-even if the latter took the form of virtual representation. These principles were carried to the colony of NSW and were at the heart of the movements to establish trial by jury and representative (or at least consultative) institutions, which commenced within two decades of the founding of the colony.

The 800th anniversary of the signing of Magna Carta in 2015 provides the appropriate opportunity to re-examine this document and its role in British and Australian history. In this day long symposium, five speakers, including Prof Nick Cowdery, Prof David Clark, Prof John Hirst, Dr Rosemary Laing and Dr Andrew Tink, will explore the historical and contemporary significance of this groundbreaking document.

For full details of all speakers, please visit: http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/events/events_talks/events/magna_carta_symposium.html