13/10/2015
The Society has produced a confirmed list of speakers for the year - which will be further populated over the course of the year. We are very grateful for their decision to address our meetings and there is one thing above all which cannot be stressed enough: for aspirant historians and for all members of the student body, these talks represent some of the best of the many opportunities that exist at St. Paul's.
Many of our speakers are leading experts in their chosen fields of study, others lived the very lives that are now the focus of study today. There is no parallel to being able to hear them speak - and to ask them questions.
Few history societies, in-school or otherwise, are as fortunate in the group of people who are willing to address them. We strongly encourage all boys to avail themselves of these excellent events.
For those who may not already be aware, the Society meets fortnightly on Mondays in the Montgomery Room. All are welcome and Fourth Formers may attend if they give prior notice in good time to the teacher directing their activity.
The list of speakers is as follows:
This does not represent the complete programme for the year, as certain dates are still being filled; past speakers are included for reference.
14th September: Graham Seel: 'Why Bad King John was really rather Good' (now passed)
The one and only Mr. Seel gave the inaugural talk of the year, on a subject on which he is an expert! King John is one of the most maligned monarchs in English (and British) History. Mr Seel disagrees with the prevailing hypothesis and presented an eloquent argument as to why King John really was 'rather Good'.
28th September: Peter Watson: 'The three greatest ideas in History' (now passed)
Our first external speaker of the year, Peter Watson gave a dynamic and engaging address on his personal work on historiography and what he believes to be the ideas which have defined history itself. A man who achieved success in a number of different fields before entering historical study, he was once the Times' official correspondent in New York. It was a memorable and interesting occasion for all present.
12th October: Dr. David Smith (Selwyn College, Cambridge): 'Charles I - Hero or Villain?' (now passed)
Dr. Smith is an eminent scholar and one of the finest historians in his field of study. His speech on Charles I and his reign, a subject to which he has devoted much of his professional life and on which he has written a significant number of academic works, provided an extraordinary exhibition of the full range of viewpoints, opinions and arguments on the King of England who lost his head. The event was simply without comparison and, as with all of our speakers, we were honoured to hear him speak.
9th November: Brigadier Brian Parrit: 'The Korean War, 1950-53'
Brigadier Parrit is an old boy of the school and served with the British Army during the Korean War and beyond. His talk promises to be insightful, rich and telling. We warmly await him.
23 Nov Dr Greg Sullivan, Tate Britain: Subject to be decided
Greg Sullivan curates the Tate’s collection of British art from 1750–1830 and focusses on artists born before 1770. His interests in the History of Art and Architecture will make for an excellent speech.
Remedy [no meeting on Dec 7 on account of inset day]
[Spaces in January and early February are currently in the process of being organised. Watch this space!]
22nd February: Dr. Clive Norris: 'The process of being a professional historian'
Dr. Norris has kindly agreed to address to Society on what it is to be a historian and on the nature of historical argument and research. This speech will shed light on History as an academic subject and it will be a pleasure to hear Dr. Norris speak.
7th March: Lieutenant-General Sir Peter Graham KCB CBE Hon DLitt: 'Northern Ireland and beyond'
General Graham attended St. Paul's in the 1950s. He would later join the British Army, with which he served with distinction in Kenya and Borneo before being posted to Northern Ireland, where he spent most of his operational career, before eventually becoming Commandant of the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst and Colonel-in-Chief of the Gordon Highlanders, his regiment, as well as General Officer Commanding Scotland. He was knighted for his services to his country in 1989. His address to the Society will be a unique opportunity to comprehend a time very different to our own through the eyes of a man whose life was defined by it. We are most grateful for his willingness to speak to the History Society.
[Space yet to be filled on 21st March]
[Exam Term, Society does not meet]
If you know someone who you think might be willing to give a talk on any historical subject of their choice (from yesterday's affairs to the very beginnings of civilisation), please do not hesitate to contact Toby Noskwith and Andre Hirschler to discuss the possibility. We welcome all speakers warmly but unfortunately remaining places are limited so speed is of the essence in order to ensure that a time can be made available that is both convenient to the speaker and workable within our schedule.
