John Benson: Robert Hooke - The forgotten polymath genius behind Ramsbury Manor
Friday 27th November 2026
19:15 to 21:00
Ramsbury Memorial Hall, High Street, Ramsbury, SN8 2QU
JOHN BENSON - exploring the extraordinary polymath genius behind Ramsbury Manor.
Most people walk past Ramsbury Manor without knowing that its architect helped invent modern science. Robert Hooke was: an early member of the Royal Society; the author of a scientific law; and the discoverer of the cell. He was also Christopher Wren's right hand in the rebuilding of London after the Great Fire and the Restoration architect of hospitals, churches, town and country houses. This polymath genius of the 17th Century Enlightenment was described by a recent biographer as England’s lost Leonardo da Vinci.
Join John Benson to discover Hooke’s story: his brilliance, his prickly character, his scientific achievements, his bitter rivalry with Isaac Newton that helped erase his reputation and how Ramsbury’s Manor helped restore it.
There will be an opportunity to ask questions at the end.
Tickets: £15 each - available online from Eventbrite
Tickets are also available from Ramsbury Post Office & Ian Smith - oldtiff@icloud.com
Doors open: 6:45pm for a 7:15 start
Pre-talk refreshments: there will be a bar open for pre-talk drinks
If you are unable to join us, please consider making a donation to support The Friends. This can be done:
- directly into our bank account (our bank details are on our website's Membership page) ;or
- via the Donations page, where donations can be marked as anonymous, if you prefer.
JOHN BENSON - exploring the extraordinary polymath genius behind Ramsbury Manor.
Most people walk past Ramsbury Manor without knowing that its architect helped invent modern science. Robert Hooke was: an early member of the Royal Society; the author of a scientific law; and the discoverer of the cell. He was also Christopher Wren's right hand in the rebuilding of London after the Great Fire and the Restoration architect of hospitals, churches, town and country houses. This polymath genius of the 17th Century Enlightenment was described by a recent biographer as England’s lost Leonardo da Vinci.
Join John Benson to discover Hooke’s story: his brilliance, his prickly character, his scientific achievements, his bitter rivalry with Isaac Newton that helped erase his reputation and how Ramsbury’s Manor helped restore it.
There will be an opportunity to ask questions at the end.
Tickets: £15 each - available online from EventbriteTickets are also available from Ramsbury Post Office & Ian Smith - oldtiff@icloud.com
Doors open: 6:45pm for a 7:15 start
Pre-talk refreshments: there will be a bar open for pre-talk drinks
If you are unable to join us, please consider making a donation to support The Friends. This can be done:
- directly into our bank account (our bank details are on our website's Membership page) ;or
- via the Donations page, where donations can be marked as anonymous, if you prefer.
Terms and Conditions: Tickets are refundable up to 7 days before event. If for any reason the event has to be cancelled, we will do our utmost to notify ticket holders before the date of the event.