Jesse Hartley was the first full-time, salaried dock engineer in the world, despite having had no previous dock-building experience when he came to Liverpool in 1824. Hartley expanded the dock system fivefold, yet he remains relatively unknown - even in Liverpool. Without a doubt he was one of the great engineers of the 19th Century. Hartley worked until 3 months before he died, at almost 80 years old, and did so with the energy of a man many years younger.

David Hearn, who has spoken to us twice before, retired from a career in banking and finance and went to university for the first time at the age of 55. He obtained a BA(Hons) from LJMU before studying for an MA in International Slavery Studies at the University of Liverpool. He runs a publishing company called The Devil's Nest, and will be bringing some books for sale, including The Slave Streets of Liverpool, Enfield's History of Liverpool 1773 (facsimile reprint) and W G Herdman's Views of Modern Liverpool 1864 (only the second edition of this book ever produced). The prices range from £15-20, and David can accept payment by cash or card.