Acknowledgements

Each and every seminar series at the Institute of Historical Research is associated with a distinct sub-disciplinary field of enquiry and a particular group of people. Whilst interested parties share common ground, their contrasting points of reference and independent spirit make it all but impossible to capture a sense of collective value in a way that will be universally agreeable. Putting together such a unique book as this has involved some trial and error, but what we have achieved has been worth it. I am hugely grateful to all contributors for their insight, effort and patience, especially in putting up with my idiosyncrasies and a process that has been harder and longer than originally envisaged.

The labour of historiography takes time, but time waits for no one. Roger Mettam passed away before his prospective chapter could be realized and I am painfully aware that Roger’s death will not have been the only loss suffered by the IHR’s membership during the time that it has taken to produce this book. It is, however, in keeping with a study about historians as scholars and people that another would-be contributor, Anne Irfan, stepped away from the project to have a baby. Such experiences give us all pause for thought. I appreciated the generosity shown by both Roger and Anne and wish their respective families well.

The initial stages of this book were planned with the encouragement and assistance of Philip Carter and Julie Spraggon – thanks to both of you. It was a privilege to showcase the work of this book’s contributors at the IHR’s Centenary Festival at Senate House on 15 July 2022 – thanks to all who made that day so memorable.

I am honoured to have been able to work under the auspices of the Institute of Historical Research and the University of London Press. I wish to extend special thanks to Emma Gallon, Kate Wilcox, Michael Townsend, Zoë Karens and Tim le Goff; and, for much practical and moral support, I am indebted to Penelope Corfield, David Bates and Claire Langhamer.