Solstice and Equinox series: Cottonopolis-The Origins of Global Manchester

Cottonopolis examines how 18th-century Manchester was transformed into a manufacturing centre at the heart of Britain’s expanding cotton trade – a city so closely associated with the industry that it became known as “Cottonopolis.”

In this panel discussion, David Olusoga OBE, Professor of Public History at The University of Manchester, will be joined by Edmond Smith, Professor of Economic Cultures at The University of Manchester, and Cassandra Gooptar, University of Hull. Together they will reflect on how Manchester’s rapid industrial growth was shaped by connections to India, Africa and the Americas – connections that provided raw materials, labour, markets and capital.

Often understood simply as part of the Industrial Revolution, Manchester’s rise depended not only on technological innovation, but also on systems of empire, trade, and transatlantic slavery. This event will explore how these intertwined histories reshaped economies and societies across the world, and what they mean for how we understand Manchester today. The discussion will consider how looking closely at the global origins of this northern British city reveals a complex and connected past – one that continues to shape our present.

Ahead of the event, attendees are invited to view the exhibition Cottonopolis: The Origins of Global Manchester at the John Rylands Library, curated by Professor Edmond Smith as part of his research for his new book, Ruthless: A New History of Britain’s Rise to Wealth and Power, 1600–1800. The exhibition runs until 9 May 2026.

An audience Q&A will follow the panel discussion.

Creative Manchester is an interdisciplinary research platform based at The University of Manchester. The platform champions research in creativity and creative practice, bringing together research communities with external stakeholders to explore new research areas and address strategic opportunities. Please visit the website for more information Creative Manchester.

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Image credit: one of the most beautiful Renaissance manuscripts of The University of Manchester Library is a copy of Christianus Prolianus’ scientific treatise, Astronomia, produced in Naples around 1478 (Latin MS 53)

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