Events
Lectures, Meetings, and Shared Learning
Exploring Quaker History Together
The Friends Historical Society organises lectures, meetings, and events that promote the study and discussion of Quaker history. Our programme includes talks by leading researchers, regional meetings, online events, and the Society's annual presidential address.
All are welcome to attend, whether members of the Society, members of the Religious Society of Friends, or those with a general interest in Quaker history.
Events
FHS Presidential Address and AGM 2026
Saturday 31 October 2026 at 2.30 pm
Online / Zoom
The 2026 FHS Presidential Address will be given by John Lander on “The dreadful evils of intemperance”: Quakers and total abstinence from alcohol. The AGM will follow.
John Lander, after an active career in banking, enrolled with The Open University as a mature student in 1989, gained a BA (Hons) degree in 1995, and then embarked on a PhD programme under the supervision of Westminster College, Oxford. He graduated in 2000 following submission of a thesis; Tent Methodism: 1814 – 1832 - “one soweth, and another reapeth”.
This led directly to John’s focus on teetotalism in Cornwall, and the relationship of Christian denominations to the pros and cons of total abstinence. The paper for the Friends Historical Society follows ones published, or to be published, relating to Wesleyan Methodists, Primitive Methodists and Congregationalists, and John is currently researching the Baptist Church’s involvement with alcohol.
Over the past 25 years, John has written over 40 books and papers on religious and social history topics; including full-length history of the Band of Hope, “Prevention is better than cure” – the Rise and Fall of the Band of Hope, published by Austin Macaulay in December 2025.
FHS Presidential Address 2025 by Rosalind Johnson
Saturday 8 Novenber 2025
Online / Zoom
Rosalind Johnson's presidential address - A faithful testimony? Quakers and tithe payments in the mid-18th century - was given last November and is now printed in the Journal.
FHS Great Book of Sufferings Project Workshop
Saturday 22 Novenber 2025
Newcastle Quaker Meeting House
This was the first workshop for this project, which aims to make more available the original records, both regional and national, which resulted in the Great Books of Sufferings, held in Friends House Library. A report is attached below
Join the Friends Historical Society
Membership of the Friends Historical Society helps sustain research, publications, and events exploring the history of the Religious Society of Friends. Members receive the Society’s annual journal and newsletter, and are invited to take part in meetings and conferences.