Hugh Cunningham is Emeritus Professor of Social History at the University of Kent and a specialist in the history of childhood, nationalism, philanthropy and leisure. Among his publications are ‘Grace Darling: Victorian Heroine’ (Hambledon Continuum, 2007), ‘Time, Work and Leisure: Life Changes in England since 1700’ (Manchester University Press 2014) and ‘Children and Childhood in Western Society since 1500’ (3rd ed. Routledge 2020). Professor Cunningham is a long-standing member and former President of the Canterbury Branch of the Historical Association.

This evening’s talk will address themes which are explored in his most recent publication ’The Reputation of Philanthropy since 1750: Britain and beyond’ (Manchester University Press, 2020).