The nineteenth century was incontrovertibly the ‘British century’, in which the UK seemed to dominate the globe, and when, for good or ill, ‘British history’ took place in many other parts of the world as well. At a time when global history has become so prominent, this seems an appropriate opportunity to revisit the years 1800 to 1906.

The nineteenth century was incontrovertibly the ‘British century’, in which the UK seemed to dominate the globe, and when, for good or ill, ‘British history’ took place in many other parts of the world as well. At a time when global history has become so prominent, this seems an appropriate opportunity to revisit the years 1800 to 1906. The lecture was given on 21 June 2016 at the German Historical Institute London. Introduction by Andreas Gestrich.

The nineteenth century has just passed from being a memory of the living into the cultural memory of Europe. To some, it seems to have become a very distant past. This talk shows how historians have interpreted the period facing their own contemporary issues. It discusses the changing frames which bring the nineteenth century close to us, or, indeed, have turned it into a foreign country. The lecture was given on 31 May 2016 at the German Historical Institute London. Introduction by Michael Schaich.

The nineteenth century has just passed from being a memory of the living into the cultural memory of Europe. To some, it seems to have become a very distant past. This talk shows how historians have interpreted the period facing their own contemporary issues. It discusses the changing frames which bring the nineteenth century close to us, or, indeed, have turned it into a foreign country.

This lecture deals with ways of narrating the history of Europe in the nineteenth century. How should we define Europe? What were its specific features in the nineteenth century? One suggestion is that nineteenth-century Europeans were obsessed with comparisons and competitions. Another idea is that they were caught in endless paradoxical demands for equality and recognition of difference. The lecture was given on 17 May 2016 at the German Historical Institute London. Introduction by Michael Schaich.

This lecture deals with ways of narrating the history of Europe in the nineteenth century. How should we define Europe? What were its specific features in the nineteenth century? One suggestion is that nineteenth-century Europeans were obsessed with comparisons and competitions. Another idea is that they were caught in endless paradoxical demands for equality and recognition of difference.

In the era of global history, is it still possible to write European history? How should it be periodized? Does it make sense to try to cover the huge variety of subjects that have formed the focus of historical research in recent decades? This talk attempts to answer these and other questions raised in the writing of volume 7 of the new Penguin History of Europe, The Pursuit of Power: Europe 1815–1914, to be published this September. The lecture was given on 3 May 2016 at the German Historical Institute London. Introduction by Andreas Gestrich.

In the era of global history, is it still possible to write European history? How should it be periodized? Does it make sense to try to cover the huge variety of subjects that have formed the focus of historical research in recent decades? This talk attempts to answer these and other questions.

Gerda Henkel Visiting Professorship Lecture. The lecture was given on 15 December 2015 at the German Historical Institute London.

The 2015 Annual Lecture 'Are There Different Cultures of Decision-Making in History?' was given by Professor Barbara Stollberg-Rilinger, University of Münster, on Friday, 13 November 2015.