Richard Lansdown

Methodism gained great popularity in the 18th century, but its followers were thought enthusiastic to the point of insanity, posing a serious threat to the established church.

Richard Lansdown introduces Hugh Welch Diamond, one of the fathers of medical photography, whose images of the insane both reflected and challenged prevailing ideas about visually recording insanity.

Lord Byron has gone down in history as the 'poet at war' supporting the Greek struggle for independence, but here Richard Lansdown uncovers his involvement with another mysterious nationalist group in 19th-century Italy, a tale of secrecy, symbolism and masonic rituals.