The importance of being personal: Political History and Life

The second lecture in this year's Weinrebe Lectures in Life-Writing series was given on Tuesday by Professor Lord Peter Hennessy. Professor Hennessy, the country's foremost historian of government, gave a fascinating and wide-ranging talk on personalities, political language, the issues raised by televised election debates, and his hopes and fears for the next general election.

Professor Hennessy was a journalist for 20 years before returning to academia in 1992. Recently retired from his position as Atlee Professor Contemporary History at Queen Mary University London, he is known both for his publications, including: Never Again: Britain 1945-51 (1992); Distilling the Frenzy: Writing the History of One's Own Times (2012); and Establishment and Meritocracy (2014), and his appearances on BBC Radio 4.    

Professor Dame Hermione Lee introduced Professor Hennessy and praised his talents as a ‘humane and generous observer of our time'. Professor Hennessy was a highly entertaining and knowledgeable speaker, describing how 20^th-century political leaders had often utilised objects or names to further their political ambitions. For example, Churchill's cigars, Thatcher's handbag, and Boris Johnson's name and hair all served to set them apart from the crowd.

Throughout his talk, Professor Hennessy described society as it was during his formative years, and explained how both his theories of what a good Prime Minister should be, and his unconscious thoughts on Britain's place in the world were set during this time.

Professor Lee concluded the evening by highlighting how this talk would serve as rich pickings for the audience member who would write the speaker's biography in the future.