New Chatham House History Examines our Defining Moments

‘A History of Chatham House: its People and Influence from the 1920s to the 2020s’ will examine the impact on policymaking of our first 100 years.

News release Published 18 January 2021 1 minute READ

Press Office

A new multi-authored book, published as part of the Chatham House/Brookings Institution Press Insights series, will authoritatively evaluate the wide-ranging research, publications and events emanating from our position as a world-renowned think-tank over the past 100 years.

Focusing on key international events since our founding, the book will trace the history and influence of Chatham House and the ideas and solutions we have advanced, from the immediate aftermath of the First World War to the challenges of rebalanced economic and political power of post-1989 global society, to the present decade and the start of our second century.

A History of Chatham House: its People and Influence from the 1920s to the 2020s (working title) will describe and assess the role of Chatham House as a policy institute, forum for dialogue, and think-tank for international affairs, and our impact not only on UK foreign policymaking, but also across regions as the authors discuss some of the most important developments affecting the world over the past century.

The expected publication date for the book is 2023, coinciding with celebrations marking the centenary of our move to 10 St James’s Square in 1923.

Edited by Caroline Soper, Michael Cox, Christopher Hill, and Alex May, the book’s planned three sections are: ‘Between two wars’; ‘The Second World War and the Cold War’; and ‘Post-1989’.

Among other global issues and influences, the authors discuss empire, decolonization and development, a ‘new’ international order, and British foreign policy and the struggle to adapt.

A History of Chatham House: its People and Influence from the 1920s to the 2020s will serve as a useful reference as Chatham House, in the early years of our second century, places renewed emphasis on helping governments and others deliver three goals for the future – sustainable and equitable growth, peaceful and thriving societies, and accountable and inclusive governance.