Central BID Birmingham has brought a new free exhibition to the city centre this autumn, celebrating one of our most famous alumni: Birmingham-raised, world-renowned author Lee Child and his legendary creation Jack Reacher.
Opened 4 November at Grand Central, Lee Child: Creating Reacher gives fans an exclusive look inside the mind of one of the world’s best-selling writers.
Commissioned by Central BID Birmingham and curated by art historian Ruth Millington, the exhibition showcases rare, never-before-seen material from Child’s personal archive and the Lee Child Archive. Highlights include handwritten drafts, private photographs, book covers, report cards from KES and fan mail, all with the author’s direct involvement.
Born James Grant, Lee Child rose from local beginnings to global fame with his blockbuster Reacher novels, which inspired Hollywood films starring Tom Cruise and the hit Amazon Prime TV series featuring Alan Ritchson.
Child’s 30th novel, Exit Strategy, launched on the day the exhibition opened, making this a true Birmingham homecoming for the author, who was signing books on the day – including one for Mrs Salt, our Director of Development.
“This exhibition comes at a turning point for Lee as he passes the Reacher legacy to his brother Andrew,” said curator Ruth Millington. “It’s a celebration of a Midlands-made hero and the Birmingham boy behind him, inspired by local libraries, theatre, bands like Black Sabbath, football and the city’s outsider spirit. As Brummies, we should shout more loudly about our world-class talent, and this is our chance.”
Lee Child said: “I had a great time growing up in Birmingham, and I still love the place, so it’s genuinely a thrill and an honour that Birmingham remembers me.“
Lee Child: Creating Reacher opens at Grand Central, above New Street Station, from 4 November and runs through December. Free to visit.
