Tales from the Coroner’s Casebook

Life and Death in Georgian South Staffordshire and the Black Country.  Part One: 1801-1826.

Speaker: Quintin Watt

This illustrated presentation examines cases of sudden or unexplained deaths, presided over by Henry Smith Esq. – Coroner of the County of Stafford – between 1801 and 1842.  These include: domestic and industrial accidents, manslaughter, murders, suicides and ‘visitations of God.’  Who was this coroner, and what do his inquest reports tells us about life, as well as death, in our region 200 years ago?  Join Coroner Henry Smith’s Inquest Jury and re-consider some of the cases he dealt with during the first part of his long career.

Originally from London, Quintin is a retired History teacher who spent his entire career at one school, in Worcestershire.  During the past 45 years he also found time to complete two masters degrees and edit two books about the local history of the West Midlands.  Quintin has been involved with several organisations, and is currently Secretary of the Black Country Society.  He also finds having a love of history is vital when pursuing his other passion: supporting Tottenham Hotspur F.C.