Bicentenary Celebration Exhibition 17-29 June 1991
Published in Windlesora 10 (1991)
© WLHG
This most prestigious Exhibition at Windsor Guildhall was a remarkable success, attracting over 1,100 visitors from countries throughout the world, before being moved to the Slough Museum and subsequently to London.
The efforts of Judith Hunter, Honorary Curator of the Windsor Royal Borough Collection, helped by the Charles Knight Society, the Windsor & Eton Society, the Friends of the Windsor and Maidenhead Royal Borough Collection, the Maidenhead Archaelogical and Historical Society, and the Windsor Local History Publications Group and, particularly, the work done by Professor Michael Twyman’s students from Reading University’s Department of Typography and Graphic Design, culminated in a fascinating display.
The work of Derek Stow, who recently published a book on Charles Knight’sLondon, and David Hedges, a Windsor book collector, indicated the tremendous scope of Charles Knight’s interests. Born in 1791 in Castle Hill, Windsor, he is remembered, with his father Charles Hampton Knight (1751-1823), as the founder of the Windsor Express. Charles Knight’s bookshop, with its printing press, in Castle Hill was frequently visited by George III. About 1800 he moved into larger premises and it is this shop which is commemorated today by a plaque. He moved to London to found the Penny Magazine and hundreds of other works, including popular histories of Britain and a library of ‘entertaining knowledge’. It was through his efforts to make publication cheaper that his books and papers reached millions of readers. He also made use of the first steam printing presses with the firm of William Clowes Ltd who were the biggest printers in the world. Also on display in the exhibition were examples of the first cheap method of colour printing, which he patented.
The Exhibition started with details of the life of Charles Knight senior, who, it is claimed, was half brother to George III. He was established as a bookseller and publisher in Castle Hill by 1780 and was the first publisher of the Windsor Guide. He was Mayor of Windsor twice at the beginning of the nineteenth century.
Charles Knight junior was educated in Windsor and Ealing and the Windsor of his childhood was depicted in the Exhibition, which also traced his life with the use of illustrations and text.
(Web Editor note August 2023: Judith Hunter (1938-2004) Honorary Curator 1977-2000)
Although not part of the original article, here is an update regarding Charles Knight from the Windsor Express, which was celebrating its 200th Year.
Windsor Local History Group 