ERO Presents: Henry Winstanley (1644-1703)

Henry was also an engineer, famous above all for his lighthouse on the Eddystone Reef.

A good many myths and spurious stories have grown up about him and he has acquired an undeserved reputation as a buffoon and flippant practical joker.

His absurdly dramatic death on the Eddystone in 1703 sealed his odd and fanciful reputation.

This talk will examine Winstanley’s life and work and unravel some of the sillier stories told about him, and it will put in their place the more coherent and impressive story of a provincial polymath with an astonishing skillset, a fine library and an impressive portfolio of work.