Description:
The first in-depth study of the life and career of Brian Simon (1915-2002), this book analyses his contribution to Marxism and the Communist Party, explores their influence on his work as a historian of education, and traces the significance of his Marxist beliefs, political associations and historical approach to the cause of educational reform.
Brief description: Gary McCulloch is the inaugural Brian Simon Professor of the History of Education and the founding director of the International Centre for Historical Research in Education (ICHRE) at the IOE, UCL's Faculty of Education and Society.
Review Quotes:
'Brian Simon comes across as a fascinatingly complex character in this biography, born into wealth and privilege but tirelessly campaigning for an egalitarian and democratic society. A loyal party man, toeing the party line in public as he followed its vagaries, but working within the party to undermine its authoritarian, anti-intellectual tendencies. Insisting on democratic centralism but opening spaces for the autonomous work of intellectuals and cultural producers. A brilliant historian, attentive to the long term and to the unintended consequences of political projects, pushing for democratic reform of educational provision, then forced to fight the rearguard action against Tory populist reaction. This book makes for a rewarding read.'
Historical Studies in Education / Revue d'histoire de l'éducation