I am a historian who specialises in 19th and 20th century British history, the British Empire, and the First World War. I teach at the London School of Economics.
In his day, `Josh' Wedgwood was one of Britain's best-known and most outspoken Radical politician... more In his day, `Josh' Wedgwood was one of Britain's best-known and most outspoken Radical politicians. He served in three wars, and, in a Parliamentary career lasting from 1906 to 1943, first with the Liberals, and then with Labour, he fought to uphold personal liberty and to limit the power of the state. Instead of the collectivism of socialists or social imperialists, Wedgwood advocated a Radical vision of Victorian Individualism as the solution to the problems of social inequality at home and growing threats abroad that Britain faced in the first half of the twentieth century. His support of individual freedom, a redistribution of landowner's wealth, and a voluntary and democratic British Empire received only limited support in his own lifetime, but he fought for them with vigour and passion throughout his career. This study of his life throws new light upon some of the defining ideological and policy issues of the most turbulent period of modern British history.
Reviews An especially rich and nuanced account of one of the lesser figures of early 20th century politics, but one sometimes described as 'the last of the radicals'. [...] It offers a clear, sharp, and, at times, a very original, analysis of politics during these years, and of the role of Wedgwood within them. [...] Wedgwood has at last been well-served by a biography from a politically-attuned historian writing with sensitivity, and a strong sense of period. Antony Taylor, REVIEWS IN HISTORY
this excellent book... meticulously researched, enjoyable to read and, at just over two hundred pages, exactly the right length for the subject matter. It can be recommended warmly to anyone interested in the politics of the period. Richard Toye, JOURNAL OF LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC HISTORY
By the end of 1945 the British Empire had survived the greatest test in its history, but it had d... more By the end of 1945 the British Empire had survived the greatest test in its history, but it had done so at a terrible cost. Although the Empire suffered fewer casualties than in the First World War (712,000 deaths due to enemy action, as against 908,000; with 451,000 of those from the UK as compared to 735,000 the first time) the war had lasted nearly two years longer, large chunks of the empire had been directly attacked and even conquered by the enemy, and the war had ended with Britain very nearly bankrupt. Furthermore, there was no doubt even at the time that the UK was a far less prominent player on the world stage by 1945 than it had been in 1918, for while in 1918 Britain has ended the war as one of -perhaps the -main victor, in 1945 it was clearly a long way behind both the USA and the USSR both in terms of its contribution to the overall defeat of Germany and Japan and as regards its continuing military power.
No previous conflict came close to the scale and ferocity of the Great War. Fought mostly in Euro... more No previous conflict came close to the scale and ferocity of the Great War. Fought mostly in Europe -but also across the continents and oceans of the world -the war required unparalleled sacrifices of men, money and materials. Millions of lives were shattered on the battlefield, while tens of millions more were changed forever by service in the armed forces or in the huge new industries which sprang up to service the war machine. If we include all the citizens and subjects of combatant nations, the numbers whose lives were affected by the war runs to hundreds of millions.
Inspired by the ideas of the American popular economist Henry George, a small group of Radical Li... more Inspired by the ideas of the American popular economist Henry George, a small group of Radical Liberal MPs, supported by enthusiasts throughout Britain, tried to persuade the Liberal Government of 1906-1914 that a tax on the value of land would bring social justice whilst avoiding the inevitable loss of personal freedom which would come with New Liberal collectivist policies.
A paper given at the Keele University conference on Josiah C. Wedgwood, held on 22 November 1918.... more A paper given at the Keele University conference on Josiah C. Wedgwood, held on 22 November 1918.
How Britain's attitude towards Zionism in Palestine forced Wedgwood to choose between his loyalty to the British Empire and his support for Zionism.
A lecture given in Portcullis House on 12 June 2018 for the History of Parliament Trust. It shows... more A lecture given in Portcullis House on 12 June 2018 for the History of Parliament Trust. It shows how Josiah C. Wedgwood stood up for Liberty, opposed the Nazis, and campaigned for Jewish refugees in Britain and Palestine.
In his day, `Josh' Wedgwood was one of Britain's best-known and most outspoken Radical politician... more In his day, `Josh' Wedgwood was one of Britain's best-known and most outspoken Radical politicians. He served in three wars, and, in a Parliamentary career lasting from 1906 to 1943, first with the Liberals, and then with Labour, he fought to uphold personal liberty and to limit the power of the state. Instead of the collectivism of socialists or social imperialists, Wedgwood advocated a Radical vision of Victorian Individualism as the solution to the problems of social inequality at home and growing threats abroad that Britain faced in the first half of the twentieth century. His support of individual freedom, a redistribution of landowner's wealth, and a voluntary and democratic British Empire received only limited support in his own lifetime, but he fought for them with vigour and passion throughout his career. This study of his life throws new light upon some of the defining ideological and policy issues of the most turbulent period of modern British history.
Reviews An especially rich and nuanced account of one of the lesser figures of early 20th century politics, but one sometimes described as 'the last of the radicals'. [...] It offers a clear, sharp, and, at times, a very original, analysis of politics during these years, and of the role of Wedgwood within them. [...] Wedgwood has at last been well-served by a biography from a politically-attuned historian writing with sensitivity, and a strong sense of period. Antony Taylor, REVIEWS IN HISTORY
this excellent book... meticulously researched, enjoyable to read and, at just over two hundred pages, exactly the right length for the subject matter. It can be recommended warmly to anyone interested in the politics of the period. Richard Toye, JOURNAL OF LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC HISTORY
By the end of 1945 the British Empire had survived the greatest test in its history, but it had d... more By the end of 1945 the British Empire had survived the greatest test in its history, but it had done so at a terrible cost. Although the Empire suffered fewer casualties than in the First World War (712,000 deaths due to enemy action, as against 908,000; with 451,000 of those from the UK as compared to 735,000 the first time) the war had lasted nearly two years longer, large chunks of the empire had been directly attacked and even conquered by the enemy, and the war had ended with Britain very nearly bankrupt. Furthermore, there was no doubt even at the time that the UK was a far less prominent player on the world stage by 1945 than it had been in 1918, for while in 1918 Britain has ended the war as one of -perhaps the -main victor, in 1945 it was clearly a long way behind both the USA and the USSR both in terms of its contribution to the overall defeat of Germany and Japan and as regards its continuing military power.
No previous conflict came close to the scale and ferocity of the Great War. Fought mostly in Euro... more No previous conflict came close to the scale and ferocity of the Great War. Fought mostly in Europe -but also across the continents and oceans of the world -the war required unparalleled sacrifices of men, money and materials. Millions of lives were shattered on the battlefield, while tens of millions more were changed forever by service in the armed forces or in the huge new industries which sprang up to service the war machine. If we include all the citizens and subjects of combatant nations, the numbers whose lives were affected by the war runs to hundreds of millions.
Inspired by the ideas of the American popular economist Henry George, a small group of Radical Li... more Inspired by the ideas of the American popular economist Henry George, a small group of Radical Liberal MPs, supported by enthusiasts throughout Britain, tried to persuade the Liberal Government of 1906-1914 that a tax on the value of land would bring social justice whilst avoiding the inevitable loss of personal freedom which would come with New Liberal collectivist policies.
A paper given at the Keele University conference on Josiah C. Wedgwood, held on 22 November 1918.... more A paper given at the Keele University conference on Josiah C. Wedgwood, held on 22 November 1918.
How Britain's attitude towards Zionism in Palestine forced Wedgwood to choose between his loyalty to the British Empire and his support for Zionism.
A lecture given in Portcullis House on 12 June 2018 for the History of Parliament Trust. It shows... more A lecture given in Portcullis House on 12 June 2018 for the History of Parliament Trust. It shows how Josiah C. Wedgwood stood up for Liberty, opposed the Nazis, and campaigned for Jewish refugees in Britain and Palestine.
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Books by Paul Mulvey
This study of his life throws new light upon some of the defining ideological and policy issues of the most turbulent period of modern British history.
Reviews
An especially rich and nuanced account of one of the lesser figures of early 20th century politics, but one sometimes described as 'the last of the radicals'. [...] It offers a clear, sharp, and, at times, a very original, analysis of politics during these years, and of the role of Wedgwood within them. [...] Wedgwood has at last been well-served by a biography from a politically-attuned historian writing with sensitivity, and a strong sense of period. Antony Taylor, REVIEWS IN HISTORY
this excellent book... meticulously researched, enjoyable to read and, at just over two hundred pages, exactly the right length for the subject matter. It can be recommended warmly to anyone interested in the politics of the period. Richard Toye, JOURNAL OF LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC HISTORY
Papers by Paul Mulvey
Talks by Paul Mulvey
How Britain's attitude towards Zionism in Palestine forced Wedgwood to choose between his loyalty to the British Empire and his support for Zionism.
This study of his life throws new light upon some of the defining ideological and policy issues of the most turbulent period of modern British history.
Reviews
An especially rich and nuanced account of one of the lesser figures of early 20th century politics, but one sometimes described as 'the last of the radicals'. [...] It offers a clear, sharp, and, at times, a very original, analysis of politics during these years, and of the role of Wedgwood within them. [...] Wedgwood has at last been well-served by a biography from a politically-attuned historian writing with sensitivity, and a strong sense of period. Antony Taylor, REVIEWS IN HISTORY
this excellent book... meticulously researched, enjoyable to read and, at just over two hundred pages, exactly the right length for the subject matter. It can be recommended warmly to anyone interested in the politics of the period. Richard Toye, JOURNAL OF LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC HISTORY
How Britain's attitude towards Zionism in Palestine forced Wedgwood to choose between his loyalty to the British Empire and his support for Zionism.