The Bright White Tree

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His most important single contribution was the publication in 1967 of his book The Human Guinea Pigs: Experimentation on Man. During the preceding 15 years, he had become increasingly concerned by unethical experiments on human beings, often without the full knowledge of the patient. The book caused a sensation when it was published. It detailed experiments on children and inmates of mental and penal institutions, whose lives were often damaged for what he believed were the career enhancements of the medics involved. The end, he said, did not justify the means. The book was widely reviewed. Arthur Koestler, author of Darkness at Noon reviewed it famously in the New Statesman. He was scathing about the experiments described in the book as “carried out on children, on pregnant women, mental defectives, on patients before and after an operation” and those with incurable diseases. In 1986 Seldon co-founded, with Professor Peter Hennessy, the Institute of Contemporary British History, a body whose aim is to promote research into, and the study of, British history since 1945. Seldon is a co-founder of Action for Happiness [6] with Richard Layard (Baron Layard), and Geoff Mulgan. He is also a patron of The Iris Project, [55] which runs literacy schemes through Latin in schools in deprived urban areas and of DrugFAM, [56] which supports families affected by a loved one's abuse of drugs or alcohol. Much like Kitty Pakenham, the wife of the Duke of Wellington, Lady Joanna Seldon was cognisant of the great duty attached to the role of master's wife. In her case she entered into a marriage with someone who was a workaholic, one who combined the demanding role of being the headmaster of a leading public school with being a prolific author and journalist. Joanna was a truly inspirational figure within the College for the decade during which her husband, Sir Anthony Seldon, was Master. A wonderful and deeply loving mother to Jessica, Susannah and Adam, Joanna was also an outstanding teacher, a brilliant author in her own right, and simply a wonderful human being. Her 2015 valediction from the Wellington College Yearbook captures the essence of what made Joanna such a special person: In March 2023, he replaced Emma Pattison as head master of Epsom College, following her murder. [17] History, politics and other writing [ edit ]

Adams, Tim (30 April 2023). "Anthony Seldon on Boris Johnson: 'At his heart, he is extraordinarily empty' ". The Observer . Retrieved 30 April 2023.Would he consider a career in politics? "I'm too much of a unifier - my heart is on the Left but my mind is often more on the Right. I'm on the side of whoever I think is doing well."

It is with immense sadness that the Wellington Community has learned of the passing of Dr Joanna Seldon. Joanna knew Wellington from many angles: wife of the Master, English teacher, Mother to Adam, who spent two years in the Lynedoch, friend and colleague. Whatever role she was called to play, there was always one constant: her own fierce independence, and from that came her intelligence, her perspective and her love. Dr Joanna Seldon was a quite outstanding English teacher, who instilled a deep love of Literature amongst her pupils. She took her young charges seriously, always challenging them to reach higher, read deeper, think harder, her forensic intelligence both inspiration and guide, her warmth and kindness nourishing true learning. More importantly, she made her pupils feel they were the most important people in her life, and that is something really special for girls and boys finding their way to adulthood. This ability to focus absolutely on the people she was with allowed her to contribute so wonderfully to all walks of Wellington life in her own important role as Master’s wife. In particular, the way she nurtured the Wellington staff as well as all the pupils is worth noting, and so many things stand out. She made a point of visiting every new baby – and there were a number of those in recent years! She hosted an annual staff children’s party, an enchanted moment for families at the end of the school year, as well as ensuring an unfailingly generous welcome at the hundreds of events held each year at the Lodge. That she allowed her home to be home to so many lent real warmth to the heart of the College. After a number of years teaching at different schools, Joanna took time out of her career to have their three children, Jessica and Susannah, who both work in the civil service, and Adam, now a teacher. When Anthony became headmaster of Brighton College she returned to work. She adored the coastal town and would go swimming in the sea in winter. Other edited books include Ruling Performance, with Professor Peter Hennessy and Conservative Century, with Professor Stuart Ball. He has written a number of booklets on education, including Private and Public Education: The Divide Must End (2000); [36] Partnership not Paternalism (2001); An End To Factory Schools (2010); [37] The Politics of Optimism (2012); and School United (2014). His 2011 Cass Lecture was published as 'Why Schools? Why Universities?' [38] He also founded two journals, Contemporary British History (as Contemporary Record) and Twentieth Century British History. During his time at Brighton College, Seldon wrote Brave New City: Brighton & Hove Past, Present, Future, an analysis of the city of Brighton and Hove focused principally on its buildings. [39] Work in education [ edit ]Anthony Seldon, David Walsh (2013). Public Schools and the Great War. Pen & Sword Military. p.320. ISBN 978-1781593080. Seldon is the author or editor of more than 45 books on contemporary history, politics and education. He was the co-founder and first director of the Centre for Contemporary British History, is the co-founder of Action for Happiness, [6] is a governor of the Royal Shakespeare Company, [7] and is on the board of a number of charities and educational bodies. Seldon, Anthony (2007). Blair's Britain, 1997–2007. Cambridge University Press. p.708. ISBN 978-0521709460.

SirAnthony Seldonis a political historian and commentator on British political leadership as well as on education and contemporary Britaina b "John Dunford and Anthony Seldon among educationalists recognised in honours list". London. 13 June 2014. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014 . Retrieved 13 June 2014.