Join us for an entertaining and illustrated talk by Polyp – Thomas Paine's graphic novel biographer. 

This talk will be delivered by Paul Fitzgerald, better known as 'Polyp' who says:

This will be an illustrated talk, based on my recent graphic novel biography, outlining the ideas and almost hilariously dramatic life of this great advocate of free speech, rationality, science and democracy. His writings quite literally sparked the American War of Independence, and yet he's been almost whitewashed from popular history... because, I'll argue, he was one of the first working-class public figures to apply a blowtorch of plainly spoken logic to religious fundamentalism in his infamous bestselling book The Age of Reason. Plus: he was once a pirate! HARRRRR'

Polyp is a professional cartoonist, graphic novelist and science educator. His recent works include PETERLOO, about the infamous Manchester massacre of 1819, and thINK, a collection of his skepticism cartoons. He's talked to a range of skeptic groups around the country, and organized live debates about a whole range of conspiracy theories, some light hearted, some tense, political and alarmingly confrontational. Copies of his books will be available to buy on the night, but we don't have a card reader so please bring some cash for this.

The venue has free parking and is a ten-minute walk from the Sheffield train station and bus interchange.

When arriving please press the buzzer at the door to be let in.

Feel free to pick up a drink at the bar and bring it in, but please arrive early to avoid the queue at the bar.