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There's a reference in row nine to a book written by a man who was briefly Chancellor of the Exchequer.

That stuck out, Iratus. Thanks for the identification.

Thanks Jbird (35) and Mack (36); I shall pursue those lines of enquiry.

Thanks to the hints from Jbird and Mack, I think I have now found the column/row and the four cells to highlight, but due to my total ignorance of the theme, I have no idea what I am looking for when I try to locate the four rectangles. Would a hint be permissible within the rules of this forum?

If you know the theme, there is an easily accessible diagram to help you. Not only are the rectangles placed symmetrically, two of them have even more in common. Finally, consider what is special about one of the cells.
I hope I have not said too much.

Thanks Mack. I am trying to work out how four symmetrically placed rectangles can total 18 cells, which equates to 4.5 cells each. More thought required.

It's 2x5 and 2x4.

iVery good workout from someone who has missed out on the theme qin life thus far…. Still had one not completely sorted but guess must be me as not mentioned so far … 39A It doesn’t reduce in being 11 etc - have answer and my mind swimming with anagrams, Roman numerals, 11D? … can live without it if a spoiler would be required …

crates
Two Roman numerals, one old, the other the more common one, then an anagram.

Thank you, Muraria ... Always have my medieval roman numerals available - but didn't go there ...