The Uses (and Abuses) of History in Whitehall

The Master will be the featured speaker at a History Faculty seminar on Thursday 27 October, 4:00pm. 

This will be held in the Yusuf Hamied Theatre.

The Public & Popular History seminar explores the interface between academic history and the public sphere – including TV and radio, films and computer games, museums and the heritage industry.   

Thursday, 27 October The Uses (and Abuses) of History in Whitehall 

4 p.m.  Yusuf Hamied Theatre, Christ’s College

A conversation with

Simon McDonald (Lord McDonald of Salford)

Simon McDonald’s distinguished career in the diplomatic service included posts as British Ambassador to Israel and Germany. In 2015-20 he was Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, when he worked with four Foreign Secretaries during the era of Trump and Brexit.

His new book, entitled Leadership, will be published on 16 November. 

Simon read history at Cambridge before entering the FCO. Did that affect him as a diplomat? How did he and his colleagues use history when engaging with other countries? Do politicians think historically or just impose their current agenda? How does the FCO cope with great ruptures in settled policies, such as Brexit? Is it a prisoner of its proud heritage? 

These and many other questions will provide food for thought, as Simon talks with David Reynolds - before opening up to Q&A. 

Seminar convenors: Bernhard Fulda, Helen McCarthy, David Reynolds