BIRMINGHAM

city, munic. parl., and co. bor., War wicks hire, England (52° 28’ N., 1° 54’ W.), with suburbs extending into Staff ords hire and Worcesters hire; the greatest Midland manufacturing town, 9714 m. S.E. of Liverpool, 112 m. by rail N.W. of London. Town is irregularly laid out; some fine streets and public buildings near center, including town hall, of Gr. arch. with Corinthian pillars, where triennial musical festivals are held, art gallery, council house, etc. Univ. was established in 1900, and there are various other educational institutions, including technical school, school of art, and grammar school founded and endowed by Edward VI. Birmingham is bishopric of Anglican, and an archbishopric of R.C. Church; cathedral built in 1839-41. There are several large hospitals and Municipal administration (ord mayor) very active and progre ive. Town was in existence before Norman Conquest, and: is mentioned in Domesday Book; it later gavo its name to resident family, who held manor here for about threo centuries; supported Round heads in Civil War; suffered attack by Prince Rupert, who captured and sacked it; in reign of Charles II. was ravaged by the plague. Serious riots have thrice occurred, against Unitarians in 1791, in favor of Chartists in 1839, and against Irish in 1866; enfranchised in 1832; became city in 1889; was the stronghold of the Tariff Reform movement, dominated by the personality of Joseph Chamberlain, who had the chief share in the development of modern Birmingham. Manufactures include all kinds of metal work, founding, rolling, stamping, plating, drawing; making of machinery, iron roofs, girders, gasometers; steam, gas and hydraulic engines; railway plant, electric apparatus, tools, guns, rifles, bells, electroplate, watches, clocks, gla , chemicals, ammunition, swords, jewelry, coins, buttons, buckles, lamps, toys, pins, steel pens, nails, screws, locks. At the gun proof-house about 600,000 gun barrels are tested annually. Supplied large quantities of munitions during World War. Railways run in all directions; canals to Severn, Thames, Mersey, and through Potteries to Trent. Pop. 840,200.