Interview with Peter Marshall, 11 August 2009

Abstract

Peter Marshall is Emeritus Professor of Imperial History at King's College, London. In 1990, he was invited to join the History Working Group, which was then drafting the history National Curriculum. He replaced John Roberts, another distinguished academic. Peter Marshall here reflects on his role in the HWG. When he joined it, the members were reeling under the impact of hostile press coverage of their interim report. The relationships with the press, with the politicians and with the civil servants are discussed. He reflects on some of the discussions of the Group, in particular in relation to what were seen as tricky issues, such as whether to include the Second World War and how to cover the British Empire. Interviewed by Nicola Sheldon