Library Talk l Nicholas St Aubyn l Jacobite Traitor or Cornish hero? The two lives of Sir John St Aubyn 3rd Bt.
Our next Library talk will be with Nicholas St Aubyn with their talk, Jacobite Traitor or Cornish hero? The two lives of Sir John St Aubyn 3rd Bt. This will take place in the Reading Room from 2pm-3pm on Wednesday 8th October.
Nicholas St Aubyn’s ‘Saints and Sinners’, a new history of his family over 1000 years, has mined the Borlase archive at The Morrab Library. One startling revelation has been to cast in a new light the famed 18th Century political battle between Sir Robert Walpole and his arch enemy Sir John St Aubyn 3rd Bt., of whom Walpole complained “all these men have their price, except the little Cornish baronet”.
On October 8th, Nicholas will trace the deadly enmity which grew between the irredeemably corrupt ‘first prime minister’ and the fiercely independent MP for Cornwall. He will reveal how the notorious ‘Skewis Affair’, Sir John’s triumph at the fall of Walpole, and a secret Jacobite plot with France, were all connected – in one of the most extraordinary episodes in British – and Cornish – history.
Cornish hero, or a traitor to his country? Saint or sinner? Judge Sir John for yourself.
Nicholas St Aubyn won a scholarship to Oxford, where he read politics and philosophy, before working in the City. He later ran West Country businesses, winning awards for enterprise and innovation. He stood in Truro, including the 1987 by-election, before becoming MP for Guildford. Custom of the County, his first novel, was shortlisted for the Winston Graham Prize. “A fast-paced adventure” (Western Morning News), it “weaves a fascinating tapestry out of the remnants of historical evidence” (BBC Cornwall).
Tickets are allocated by a ballot system. Please email enquiries@morrablibrary.org.uk or call 01736 364474 to be entered into the ballot for a ticket. The ballot closes on Monday 29th September.
Entry to this event is free but donations are welcomed to help support The Morrab Library (suggested £5).
Refreshments will be provided after the talk.