Name: Questionable Quackery
Start: 2025-09-20T11:00:00+01:00
End: 2025-09-20T12:00:00+01:00
Location: Beckett Street, LS9 7LN Leeds, United Kingdom

Delve into the deceptive world of quackery in this new Thackray talk.
Travel back to the origins of the quack doctor and explore the most dangerous and daft cures of the 18th and 19th centuries.
Taking place in our Victorian Operating Theatre, this talk will expose some of the most notorious historical medicines of the past 300 years.
The 19th century saw an explosion of so-called nerve tonics and pills marketed as cures for everything from insomnia to melancholy. Some of these questionable cures were duds; others were downright dangerous. You will hear first-hand, the tricks and techniques of the crooks and charlatans who profited from them.
About this event
The talk will last for 40 minutes, followed by 20 minutes for you to ask questions and explore the objects up close.
This ticket includes free admission to the museum galleries on the day of your talk.
Recommended age guidance: 12+