Our Academic Scholars from Year 7 through to Year 13 were fortunate to attend a lecture delivered by Professor Andrew Pettegree as part of the MSJ Hayes Seminar series. Professor Pettegree, a highly respected historian and Professor of Modern History at the University of St Andrews, specialises in the European Reformation, the history of the book, and the evolution of media.

The lecture, focused on Books in Wartime, offered pupils a valuable insight into the complex challenges faced by publishers during periods of conflict. Professor Pettegree brought with him original publications produced during wartime, allowing pupils the rare opportunity to handle and examine historical texts first-hand. This tangible connection to the past brought the topic to life in a way that resonated strongly with the audience.

“I enjoyed learning about that period of history and looking at the original books that were passed around.” — Year 8 pupil

“It was a topic that I hadn’t thought much about before that I found was really interesting.” — Year 11 pupil

Among the highlights of the talk were Professor Pettegree’s explanations of how photographs were carefully staged for propaganda purposes, how some publishers surprisingly benefitted from their premises being bombed (as insurance payouts enabled them to continue trading), and the dramatic impact of paper shortages on newspaper length. Pupils were also intrigued to learn that, due to rationing, newspapers could not legally be used to light fires.

“We learned how resource scarcity, political censorship and military interests affected bookstores and the general public’s demand. We were able to examine books and pamphlets issued to soldiers during the war. Something I found particularly inspiring was how books served as a source of hope for many people during the war. For example, prisoners of war in Allied countries were given books to keep themselves occupied, whether for studying or leisure, and in the Netherlands, those in hiding were provided with books, as recorded in Anne Frank’s diary, which became like a light for them.

Listening to this talk was deeply thought provoking, and made me consider how more recent conflicts may impact communication and literature in the modern day, especially with books increasingly becoming digitalised.” Year 13 Academic Prefect

The session offered an exceptional opportunity for our scholars to deepen their academic curiosity and engage directly with an expert actively shaping historical research. Experiences like this not only enrich pupils’ understanding beyond the classroom but also inspire them to think critically about how history is recorded and interpreted.

We are grateful to Professor Pettegree for sharing his expertise and for providing such a stimulating and memorable learning experience.