University lecturer compiles major biography
24 February 2006
Canterbury Christ Church University’s Senior History Professor, Sean Greenwood, is compiling a major biography of Gladwyn Jebb, who was the first Lord Gladwyn – one of the major diplomatic figures of the 20th century.
Prof Greenwood
Professor Greenwood, author of numerous books including Britain and European Co-operation since 1945 and Britain and the Cold War 1945-91, was invited to write the biography by the present Lord Gladwyn, the first Lord Gladwyn’s son.
Professor Greenwood said: “This is probably the most important project I’ve undertaken and I am honoured that Lord Gladwyn’s family has tasked me to take on such a prestigious assignment."
Gladwyn Jebb
In a career spanning many of the landmark events of four momentous decades of the 20th Century, Gladwyn Jebb – later known Lord Gladwyn – was the archetypal British Diplomat. He was at Munich with Chamberlain, significantly contributed to the establishment of the United Nations (UN) and NATO and was Britain’s representative at the UN during the Korean War. He was the UK’s ambassador in Paris during the Suez crisis and played a crucial part in Britain’s first attempt to join the Common Market.
Professor Greenwood explained: “Lord Gladwyn captures my interest because of the influential role he played in British foreign policy over such an extended period and his undoubted intellectual brilliance. He had a reputation for being difficult but that was more than offset by his subtle sense of humour, his enormous capacity for hard work and his familiarity with the great and gifted of his day.”
Notes to Editor
Canterbury Christ Church University’s History Department
The History Department at Canterbury Christ Church University is one of the top departments in the country in terms of quality of teaching. During the last round of government-sponsored teaching assessments, the History department obtained the highest possible rating, an ‘Excellent’ grade.
Only 20 History departments out of more than 80 in the UK University and College sector received a similar grading and the History Department at Canterbury Christ Church University was the only one in the South East to receive this accolade.
In 2001, the History Department also obtained a 3a rating in the Government’s Research Assessment Exercise, denoting research of national and international excellence.
Therefore, top quality teaching, underpinned by a strong commitment to research, has been the key to the department’s success.
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Claire Robinson
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