Lesson plan
Esmond Wright
Esmond Wright (5 November 1915, Newcastle upon Tyne – 9 August 2003, Masham, North Yorkshire ) was an English historian of the United States, Director of the Institute of United States Studies at the University of London from 1971 to 1983, a television personality, author, and a Conservative politician. Wright was educated at Heaton Grammar School in Newcastle upon Tyne, before winning an open scholarship to Durham University and, in 1938, a Commonwealth Fund Fellowship to the University of Virginia. Wright joined the University of Glasgow in 1946 as a lecturer in History. In 1957 he was appointed Professor of Modern History, a post he held until his election to parliament ten years later. His students at Glasgow included future Labour Party Leader John Smith and Donald Dewar, later the first First Minister of Scotland. During this time he became known in both Scotland and England with his obituary in The Independent describing him as one of Britain's 'early "media dons"'. In a 1967 by-election, he was returned as a Conservative Member of Parliament for the previously Labour-held seat of Glasgow Pollok. Wright defeated Dick Douglas, who would later have two spells as a Labour MP and defect to the Scottish National Party. Wright reportedly had 'no strong political ambitions' and had apparently not expected to win the contest.…
Article summary
Esmond Wright (5 November 1915, Newcastle upon Tyne – 9 August 2003, Masham, North Yorkshire ) was an English historian of the United States, Director of the Institute of United States Studies at the University of London from 1971 to 1983, a television personality, author, and a Conservative politician. Wright was educated at Heaton Grammar School in Newcastle upon Tyne, before winning an open scholarship to Durham University and, in 1938, a Commonwealth Fund Fellowship to the University of Virginia. Wright joined the University of Glasgow in 1946 as a lecturer in History. In 1957 he was appointed Professor of Modern History, a post he held until his election to parliament ten years later. His students at Glasgow included future Labour Party Leader John Smith and Donald Dewar, later the first First Minister of Scotland. During this time he became known in both Scotland and England with his obituary in The Independent describing him as one of Britain's 'early "media dons"'. In a 1967 by-election, he was returned as a Conservative Member of Parliament for the previously Labour-held seat of Glasgow Pollok. Wright defeated Dick Douglas, who would later have two spells as a Labour MP and defect to the Scottish National Party. Wright reportedly had 'no strong political ambitions' and had apparently not expected to win the contest.…
Key claims
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Discussion questions
- Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
- Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
- If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?
Bibliography
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Key claims and bibliography are generated from the same tracked claims and sources as the article page.