A Cosmopolitan Military Architect on St Helena

FREE online history talk on on Wednesday, 12 November, at 6pm (GMT).

Anthony Emmett of the Royal Engineers was only about 25, but already much battle-scarred, when he was appointed commanding royal engineer on St Helena during Napoléon's exile. It was a role that put him in charge of the upkeep of all the fortifications and defences of the island, the building of Bertrand’s Cottage, the assembling of the prefabricated New Longwood House, and the excavation of Napoléon’s tomb.

It may have been his dream job for, much to the disgust of Governor Sir Hudson Lowe, young Emmett was a fan of Napoléon. He was also thought to be a bit too admiring of the ideals of the French Revolution. Fellow officers nicknamed him 'Mark Antony', because he was nostalgic for 'Caesar'...

Join historian Dr Peter Hicks to discover this fascinating but little-known personality in St Helena's history and also learn about the architectural responsibilities of the Royal Engineers in colonial territories. Peter is International Affairs manager at the Fondation Napoléon in Paris, and one of our trustees at the UK-St Helena Heritage Trust. We're hugely grateful for his willingness to share his research and insights with us. 

The talk is free to attend. Join us online on Wednesday, 12 November, at 6pm (GMT). All welcome.