History Speakers & Conferences 2009-10
Professor David Andress, Portsmouth University
David Andress was invited to give a seminar to the L6 on the origins and course of The Terror in the French Revolution. This was a great opportunity for the L6 to take part in a question and answer session with Professor Andress who is an expert on the French Revolution. His books on The Terror and 1789; the Threshold of the Modern Age provide wider reading for any student who wishes to explore this period in greater depth. It proved an especially fortuitous occasion when The Terror appeared as the major topic on the AS paper just a few weeks later! Well done girls on your fabulous results.
Tim Blanning
Prof. Tim Blanning, Sidney Sussex, Cambridge
The L6 attended a French Revolution conference in London where we enjoyed (as always)Professor Tim Blanning's thoroughly entertaining talk on the origins of the French Revolution. His slideshow complete with suitable sound effects goes down a storm. Mrs David always recommends his excellent book Pursuit of Glory to any student who wants to gain a broader knowledge about the 18th C.
Professor Colin Jones, Queen Mary's, London
In November we were able to enjoy the double delights of Professor Colin Jones who gave a clear and insightful talk on the causes of the French Revolution and then we followed this with pizza in a local Guildford eatery...a perfect evening! Professor Jones' book The Great Nation France from Louis XV to Napoleon (1715-99) is a compulsive read.
Dr Piers Brendon,
Dr Brendon spoke to the whole Sixth Form in January on the topic 'The Decline & fall of the British Empire'. He was the guest of the West Surrey Historical Association with St Catherine's acting as the host since so many sixth formers from other local schools wished to attend. U6 St Catherine's historians enjoyed a delightful dinner with Dr Brendon beforehand.
Russia Conference
Professor Orlando Figes
U6 historians were lucky enough to attend the History Live Russia Conference in February where four incredibly eminent speakers were lined up, each one providing a different historical perspective on the period after 1900. Professor Christopher Read, University of Warwick Dr Chris Ward, University of Cambridge Professor Robert Service, University of Oxford Professor Orlando Figes, Birkbeck College