The building of the Suez Canal was both a marvel of engineering construction and the symbolic meeting of East and West. It was the vision of Ferdinand de Lesseps, a French diplomat, who with his enthusiasm for the project won the vital backing of Louis Napoleon, whose perseverance overcame the British Prime Minister’s determination to prevent the Canal’s completion; and whose friendship with an 11-year-old Egyptian boy, with a craving for spaghetti, paid dividends.

It was de Lesseps’ pioneer spirit that eventually saw the project completed in 1869, after 15 years of ceaseless effort, both in planning and in construction.  But he did it, and the desert was parted.

To book on this talk please contact Julia Tibbs and [email protected] and she will be able to provide further information. 

Tickets: £28 for lecture and lunch, £12 for lecture only.