Tucked away in the West Cemetery is the unassuming grave of Alfred Swaine Taylor (1806-1880), one of the nineteenth-century’s most well-known forensic scientists. At this talk, find out about Taylor’s cases, both well-known and obscure, his interests in geology and photography (and about his wife Caroline, very likely to have been the first female photographer), and discover why Golden Age crime fiction author Dorothy L Sayers called his books “The Back Doors to Death”. A strong stomach is recommended!

Helen Barrell is the author of Fatal Evidence, Taylor’s biography, which was one of The Guardian’s summer reads, chosen by well-known authors. Helen has appeared on BBC Radio 4’s Punt PI and has written for several magazines. She has given talks at literary festivals and for local and family history groups.

Price: £8. Includes a drink.