Birmingham and the Chamberlains

For almost a century Joseph Chamberlain and his two famous sons, Neville and Austen, were prominent in national politics. From the 1880s to the 1940s, the development of Birmingham was driven forward by this family of political leaders. Featuring more than 200 archive photographs of the city, this book documents their far-reaching influence, which is still to be seen in the streets, squares, buildings, fountains, clocks, and statues of Birmingham. Recording the Chamberlains' exciting designs for the city streets, grand public buildings, and a new university, the book traces the ways in which the lord mayors of Birmingham changed the city where they grew up. Providing a fascinating insight into their legacy and showing how political history is important for the future of Birmingham, this book will appeal to anyone who has ever lived or worked in the city.