Women, Environment and Networks of Empire - The Gwillim Project in Madras

Explore the fascinating Gwillim Project in this lecture by Victoria Dickenson and Anna Winterbottom. Delve into the lives and works of English sisters Elizabeth Gwillim and Mary Symonds, who arrived in Madras in 1801. Discover their remarkable collection of over 200 watercolours depicting birds, fish, flowers, people, and landscapes, as well as four volumes of descriptive letters. Learn how an international multidisciplinary network examined these works, leading to animated discussions on natural history, art, food, fashion, and colonialism. Gain insights into the book "Women, Environment and Networks of Empire, Elizabeth Gwillim and Mary Symonds in Madras," published in 2023. Understand the project's success through collaborative efforts to explore relationships between people and the natural world. Hear from Victoria Dickenson, a retired museum director with expertise in the history of science and natural history, and Anna Winterbottom, a specialist in the history of medicine, science, and environment in the Indian Ocean region.