Professor Gaynor Johnson from the School of History, will give a guest lecture at BSIS on 15 October about ‘Lord Robert Cecil: Politician and Internationalist’.
Lord Robert Cecil was the third son of the great nineteenth century Conservative Prime Minister, the Third Marques of Salisbury. His historical reputation is largely based on his high-profile work promoting and developing the work of the League of Nations. The principal objective of this body, that was established at the end of the First World War, was to provide a mechanism for the peaceful reconciliation of diplomatic conflict between nations. Because the League largely failed in this task, both it and those who promoted its work have been viewed negatively by historians, as naïve and excessively idealistic. This paper, which also presents a brief portrait of Lord Robert Cecil’s career in Edwardian Unionist politics, discusses the basis of all of his ethical, diplomatic and political values and endeavours to promote a different view of him, suggesting that he was a pragmatist realpoliker. This paper will be of interest to anyone working on twentieth century British history, the origins of the two world wars, early twentieth century peace movements and the nature of diplomacy. As it is based in part on my recent biography of Cecil, the paper will also offers scope to discuss biography as a genre and how and why historical reputations are formed.
Registration:
This event is free to attend.
Please register by sending an email to bsis@kent.ac.uk, stating your name and affiliation.
Venue: Wilson Room (3rd floor), Brussels School of International Studies, University of Kent, Pleinlaan / Boulevard de la Plaine 5, B-1050 Brussels