Cambridge: City of Scholars, City of Refuge, 1933-1945

The New University Library seen from Memorial Court, Clare (1934) Cambridge University Library (Cam.bb.934.7). Image via CC BY-NC 3.0

Winstanley Lecture Theatre, Trinity College, Cambridge

This conference is the first attempt to begin to reconstruct the ways in which Cambridge – university, colleges, and town – became a sanctuary for persecuted European academics, 1933-45. Papers will range widely across the arts, humanities, social and natural sciences, both focusing on well-known refugee academics and drawing attention to the experience of those marginalised or neglected: students, women, and scholars who never found their way professionally. We will also look at the individuals, institutions and households that enabled escape and rescue, as well as at the evacuation to Cambridge of material resources of scholarly value.

The conference will take place from 09.00 to 18.00 on Thursday 5th March and from 09.00 to 13.000 on Friday 6th March.