Birkbeck at war: Bicentenary talk series at Birkbeck Library
When:
—
Venue:
Birkbeck Main Building, Malet Street
Professor Jerry White will share the dramatic story of Birkbeck during the world wars of 1914-18 and 1939-45. The world wars represented London’s two greatest challenges in the twentieth century. Just how Birkbeck confronted these existential events became key moments in the College’s history. In the First World War the College had to cope with a war that pulled students and staff to the Western Front, in many cases with fatal or life-shattering results; and with a London which saw a revolution in the role and status of women in society. And in the Second, the College narrowly escaped physical destruction while alone carrying the torch for university education in the capital, while all comparable institutions had been evacuated to the country. How Birkbeck managed through these crisis years, and what it meant to London and Londoners, is the subject of Jerry White’s talk.
Jerry White is Emeritus Professor of Modern London History at Birkbeck. He is the author of numerous books on the social history of London, including Zeppelin Nights: London in the First World War (2014) and The Battle of London 1939-45: Endurance, Heroism and Frailty under Fire (2021).
Jerry’s talk will be followed by a Q&A and refreshments in the Library's teaching room (111a) on Level 1.
You are encouraged to arrive from 6.00pm, in order to view the display about Birkbeck during the wars showcasing items from the College Archive and the Library’s image collections.
Contact name: Catherine Lauriol
Tags: