James Henry Pullen: The Genius of Earlswood Asylum

A talk about the life of James Henry Pullen, (1835-1916), a resident of the Royal Earlswood Asylum near Redhill, who is believed to have had the condition of savant syndrome. Known as the Genius of Earlswood Asylum, Pullen created a series of ships including a model of Brunel’s Great Eastern and the Princess Alexandra, a 40 gun man of war. The talk will also look in detail at his pictorial autobiography, imaginary ships and paintings. This will be followed by a viewing of a short film made about Pullen and a guided tour of the objects, models and paintings in the museum. Light refreshments will provided.