Reith Lectures Archive: 1948-1975

Art and architecture historian Nikolaus Pevsner examines the very English contradiction at the heart of the work of portrait painter Sir Joshua Reynolds in the third lecture in his Reith Lectures series 'The Englishness of English Art'. He argues that the far-reaching contrast between his promotion of painting in the Grand Manner, and how he actually painted, is eminently English.

The art and architecture historian Nikolaus Pevsner considers the ‘Englishness’ of the artist and satirist William Hogarth in the second lecture in his Reith Lectures series 'The Englishness of English Art'. He explores the characteristics which he says make Hogarth a particularly English artist, and argues that his work embodies the ideals of the Age of Reason.

Art and architecture historian Nikolaus Pevsner asks why we study the history of art in the first of his Reith Lectures series 'The Englishness of English Art'. He argues that an understanding and appreciation of the work of the artist is truly life-enhancing, and he goes on to explore the English national character as it is expressed in terms of art.

Philosopher and civil servant Sir Oliver Franks analyses the political relationship between Britain and the USA in the third lecture from his Reith Lectures series ‘Britain and Tide of World Affairs’. He analyses the discomforts of the passage of power, McCarthyism, and the fear that the United States will lead us in a third World War.

Theoretical physicist and so-called 'father of the atomic bomb' Professor Robert Oppenheimer explains how human communities resemble atoms in the final lecture from his Reith Lectures series ‘Science and the Common Understanding’. He draws parallels between the construction of human society and the atom: each man is dependent on the next, and through the power of the collective, Man's power grows with the shared knowledge of individuals.

British historian Arnold J Toynbee considers the psychological effects of culture in the fifth lecture in his Reith Lectures series 'The World and the West'. He argues that the most important differences are invariably rejected, but that minor 'culture strands' are often allowed to flourish, creating a patchwork of cultural identities.

Lawyer and Law Lord Cyril Radcliffe examines the early period of British administration in India in the fifth lecture in his Reith Lectures series 'Power and the State'. He argues that period, until the Indian Mutiny, succeeded more as a result of the character of its institutions than their excellence. He suggests this offers a classic example of how men really respond to the stimulus of great authority.

Philosopher, mathematician and social reformer Bertrand Russell argues that man needs personal morality to guide his conduct and must learn to be critical of tribal customs and beliefs in the final lecture in his Reith Lectures series 'Authority and the Individual'.

Philosopher, mathematician and social reformer Bertrand Russell considers what matters should be controlled by the state in a healthy and progressive society in the fifth lecture in his Reith Lectures series 'Authority and the Individual'. He argues that in our complex world, there cannot be fruitful initiative without government, but nor can there be government without initiative.

Philosopher, mathematician and social reformer Bertrand Russell examines the role human nature has played in the development of civilised society in the fourth lecture in his Reith Lectures series 'Authority and the Individual'. He argues that poverty, suffering and cruelty are no longer necessary to the existence of civilisation and instead believes these can be eliminated with the help of modern science, provided it operates in a humane spirit.

Philosopher, mathematician and social reformer Bertrand Russell considers the importance of individual initiative to a community in the third lecture in his Reith Lectures series 'Authority and the Individual'. He argues for flexibility, local autonomy, and less centralisation in society. Modern organisations, he says, must be more flexible and less oppressive to the human spirit if life is to be saved from boredom.

Philosopher, mathematician and social reformer Bertrand Russell examines social cohesion throughout history for the second of his Reith Lectures series 'Authority and the Individual'. He examines how forms of social cohesion have developed throughout history and considers the effects of increasing state control, as exemplified by Soviet Russia.

Philosopher, mathematician, and social reformer Bertrand Russell gives the inaugural Reith Lecture. In the first lecture of his series 'Authority and the Individual' he examines the role of impulses in human nature and charts the way these impulses have manifested themselves throughout history, from very primitive communities through to more 'civilised' societies.