Podcasts by
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How to research a famous person in The National Archives
Join records expert Mark Dunton for a step-by-step explanation of how to research a famous person in The National Archives. Taking the case study of Britain’s first female Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, the podcast goes through the key steps to ...
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New files from 1982
Contemporary records specialists Mark Dunton and Simon Demissie discuss highlights from the latest release of government files made public after 30 years. The third year of Mrs Thatcher’s premiership was dominated by the Falklands crisis and war with Argentina. New ...
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The scandalous case of John Vassall: sexuality, spying and the Civil Service
Fifty years ago civil servant John Vassall was sentenced to 18 years’ imprisonment for espionage. Vassall was homosexual, and whilst working at the British Embassy in Moscow, was caught in a Soviet Secret Service ‘honeytrap’, and blackmailed into passing secrets ...
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New files from 1981
An overview of newly-released government files from 1981 including discussion of the major stories of the year. From urban riots and IRA hunger strikes to splits in Cabinet over economic policy, 1981 was an extremely challenging year for Mrs Thatcher’s ...
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20th century Treasury records
Some researchers might feel apprehensive about the prospect of investigating 20th century Treasury records, particularly given the complex nature of Treasury Registry systems of the 18th and 19th centuries. But the good news is that the Treasury records of the ...
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New files from 1980
An introduction to newly released files from 1980, covering subjects such as economic policy, the European Community Budget, relations with trade unions, the Iranian Embassy siege and the potential boycott of the Moscow Olympics. These files provide a fascinating insight ...
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The Cabinet Papers 1915-1979
Mark Dunton, The National Archives’ contemporary records specialist, explains how anyone with an interest in modern history can get the best out of the Cabinet Papers online resource. This provides access to historical records of the key episodes in 20th century ...
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I’m All Right Jack! Britain in 1959
The famous Boulting Brothers film ‘I’m All Right Jack!’ was released just over 50 years ago. The film, in which a blundering innocent causes a nationwide strike, was a satire – but did it also reflect social realities in 1959? ...
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New files from 1979
An introduction to newly releases files from 1979, covering subjects such as the winter of discontent, cuts to the civil service, trade union strikes, and the new Thatcher administration, providing a fascinating insight into government 30 years ago. Other subjects ...
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Summer of ’69
A look back at the year in which Neil Armstrong took his ‘giant leap for mankind’, Concorde continued its flight test programme and the hippy culture reached its zenith with the age of the pop festival. However, the summer of ...
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New files From 1978
Contemporary historian Mark Dunton discusses the release of high-profile records from 1978, which provide fascinating insight into the thinking of key government figures in the run-up to the Winter of Discontent.
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New files From 1978 – BSL Sign Language Video
Contemporary historian Mark Dunton discusses the release of high-profile records from 1978, which provide fascinating insight into the thinking of key government figures in the run-up to the Winter of Discontent.
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Unfinished business: Britain and the European Community
Focusing on Britain’s changing relationship with the European Community between 1945 and 1975, Contemporary Specialist Mark Dunton guides us through the key documents that reveal the attitudes of leading figures, the diplomatic process and public perceptions of an evolving Europe.
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Divorce records after 1858
An in-depth and light-hearted look into divorce records, put in context by an introduction to the very antiquated divorce laws pre-1858. Hear about the famous feminist and family planning crusader Marie Stopes’ high-profile divorce. At the other end of the ...
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1968: Year of revolutions
Mark Dunton takes you back in time to a tumultuous year, using key documents to show the British Government’s take on the dramatic events of 1968, and its own particular preoccupations.
