Anthony Seldon
Encyclopedia
Dr. Anthony F. Seldon MA, PhD, FRSA, MBA, FRHistS is a political commentator best known as Tony Blair's biographer and the Master of Wellington College
. He is the son of the economist Dr Arthur Seldon
.
Educated at Tonbridge School
and a graduate of Worcester College, Oxford
, Seldon later went on to study at King's College London
, the London School of Economics
, and the Polytechnic of Central London
.
He served as head of politics and sixth form at Whitgift School
from 1983–89, head of history and general studies at Tonbridge School
1989-93, deputy headmaster of St. Dunstan's College 1993-97 and headmaster of Brighton College
1997-2005. He is currently the 13th Master of Wellington College
, where he has introduced co-education in all years and pledged to return the school to the top academic division.
It is for his writing as Tony Blair's biographer that Professor Seldon is best known. His biographies The Blair Effect (1997-01 and 2001–05) and Blair (in cooperation with which a Channel 4
documentary was made) are authoritative works, though were unauthorised and access to Blair was strictly curtailed once the editorial direction of the book was ascertained. On 5 November 2007 he published Blair Unbound (ISBN 978-1847370785).
Professor Seldon appears regularly in the national press and has written or edited many other books, including the Thatcher Effect, Britain under Thatcher (with Daniel Collings), Major, A Political Life, Number 10: the illustrated history, and he has also co-authored an illustrated history of the Conservative Party
(with Peter Snowdon
), which includes a foreword by Michael Howard
. His books on 10 Downing Street
and John Major
are the official biographies.
Professor Seldon founded, with Peter Hennessy
, the Institute of Contemporary British History. He also organises annual education conferences at Wellington College for state and independent schools, which in the past have included guest speakers such as Bob Geldof
, Rod Liddle
, Niall Ferguson
, Martin Rees, Robert Winston
, Jane Asher
, Toby Young
, A A Gill, Michael Gove
, Andy Burnham, David Starkey
, David Willetts
, Andrew Adonis
and Christopher Woodhead.
In 2006, Professor Seldon introduced Happiness Classes (or positive psychology
) to Wellington College because he wanted pupils to focus both positive and negative emotions in a constructive and healthy way. The classes run weekly for those in the 14 - 16 age bracket. The classes offer skills on how to manage relationships, physical and mental health
as well as how to achieve ambitions. They are taken by the college's religious education staff, headed by Ian Morris. Professor Seldon, says the lessons would complement rather than replace religion
and are proving to be popular.
In 2007, Seldon was given a Chair at The College of Teachers
as Professor of Education. The College of Teachers awarded England's first Professorial Chair of Education to Joseph Payne in 1872.
Seldon is a patron of The Iris Project
, which runs innovative Literacy through Latin schemes in schools in deprived urban areas.
Wellington College, Berkshire
-Former pupils:Notable former pupils include historian P. J. Marshall, architect Sir Nicholas Grimshaw, impressionist Rory Bremner, Adolphus Cambridge, 1st Marquess of Cambridge, author Sebastian Faulks, language school pioneer John Haycraft, political journalist Robin Oakley, actor Sir Christopher...
. He is the son of the economist Dr Arthur Seldon
Arthur Seldon
Dr Arthur Seldon CBE was joint founder president, with Ralph Harris, of the Institute of Economic Affairs, where he directed academic affairs for 30 years....
.
Educated at Tonbridge School
Tonbridge School
Tonbridge School is a British boys' independent school for both boarding and day pupils in Tonbridge, Kent, founded in 1553 by Sir Andrew Judd . It is a member of the Eton Group, and has close links with the Worshipful Company of Skinners, one of the oldest London livery companies...
and a graduate of Worcester College, Oxford
Worcester College, Oxford
Worcester College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. The college was founded in the eighteenth century, but its predecessor on the same site had been an institution of learning since the late thirteenth century...
, Seldon later went on to study at King's College London
King's College London
King's College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the federal University of London. King's has a claim to being the third oldest university in England, having been founded by King George IV and the Duke of Wellington in 1829, and...
, the London School of Economics
London School of Economics
The London School of Economics and Political Science is a public research university specialised in the social sciences located in London, United Kingdom, and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
, and the Polytechnic of Central London
University of Westminster
The University of Westminster is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom. Its origins go back to the foundation of the Royal Polytechnic Institution in 1838, and it was awarded university status in 1992.The university's headquarters and original campus are based on Regent...
.
He served as head of politics and sixth form at Whitgift School
Whitgift School
Whitgift School is an independent day school educating approximately 1,400 boys aged 10 to 18 in South Croydon, London in a parkland site.- History and grounds :...
from 1983–89, head of history and general studies at Tonbridge School
Tonbridge School
Tonbridge School is a British boys' independent school for both boarding and day pupils in Tonbridge, Kent, founded in 1553 by Sir Andrew Judd . It is a member of the Eton Group, and has close links with the Worshipful Company of Skinners, one of the oldest London livery companies...
1989-93, deputy headmaster of St. Dunstan's College 1993-97 and headmaster of Brighton College
Brighton College
Brighton College is an institution divided between a Senior School known simply as Brighton College, the Prep School and the Pre-Prep School. All of these schools are co-educational independent schools in Brighton, England, sited immediately next to each another. The Senior School caters for...
1997-2005. He is currently the 13th Master of Wellington College
Wellington College, Berkshire
-Former pupils:Notable former pupils include historian P. J. Marshall, architect Sir Nicholas Grimshaw, impressionist Rory Bremner, Adolphus Cambridge, 1st Marquess of Cambridge, author Sebastian Faulks, language school pioneer John Haycraft, political journalist Robin Oakley, actor Sir Christopher...
, where he has introduced co-education in all years and pledged to return the school to the top academic division.
It is for his writing as Tony Blair's biographer that Professor Seldon is best known. His biographies The Blair Effect (1997-01 and 2001–05) and Blair (in cooperation with which a Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
documentary was made) are authoritative works, though were unauthorised and access to Blair was strictly curtailed once the editorial direction of the book was ascertained. On 5 November 2007 he published Blair Unbound (ISBN 978-1847370785).
Professor Seldon appears regularly in the national press and has written or edited many other books, including the Thatcher Effect, Britain under Thatcher (with Daniel Collings), Major, A Political Life, Number 10: the illustrated history, and he has also co-authored an illustrated history of the Conservative Party
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
(with Peter Snowdon
Peter Snowdon
Peter Snowdon is a contemporary historian and journalist.Educated at St. Dunstan's College, Durham University and the London School of Economics, he has collaborated with Anthony Seldon on a number of books, including the authorised biography of John Major, Major: A Political Life , Blair and...
), which includes a foreword by Michael Howard
Michael Howard
Michael Howard, Baron Howard of Lympne, CH, QC, PC is a British politician, who served as the Leader of the Conservative Party and Leader of the Opposition from November 2003 to December 2005...
. His books on 10 Downing Street
10 Downing Street
10 Downing Street, colloquially known in the United Kingdom as "Number 10", is the headquarters of Her Majesty's Government and the official residence and office of the First Lord of the Treasury, who is now always the Prime Minister....
and John Major
John Major
Sir John Major, is a British Conservative politician, who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party from 1990–1997...
are the official biographies.
Professor Seldon founded, with Peter Hennessy
Peter Hennessy
Peter John Hennessy, Baron Hennessy of Nympsfield, FBA is an English historian of government. Since 1992, he has been Attlee Professor of Contemporary British History at Queen Mary, University of London.-Early life:...
, the Institute of Contemporary British History. He also organises annual education conferences at Wellington College for state and independent schools, which in the past have included guest speakers such as Bob Geldof
Bob Geldof
Robert Frederick Zenon "Bob" Geldof, KBE is an Irish singer, songwriter, author, occasional actor and political activist. He rose to prominence as the lead singer of the Irish rock band The Boomtown Rats in the late 1970s and early 1980s alongside the punk rock movement. The band had hits with his...
, Rod Liddle
Rod Liddle
Roderick E. L. Liddle is an English print, radio, and television journalist.He is an associate editor of The Spectator, and former editor of BBC Radio 4's Today programme, he is the author of Too Beautiful for You , Love Will Destroy Everything , and co-author of The Best of Liddle Britain...
, Niall Ferguson
Niall Ferguson
Niall Campbell Douglas Ferguson is a British historian. His specialty is financial and economic history, particularly hyperinflation and the bond markets, as well as the history of colonialism.....
, Martin Rees, Robert Winston
Robert Winston
Robert Maurice Lipson Winston, Baron Winston is a British professor, medical doctor, scientist, television presenter and politician.-Early life and education :...
, Jane Asher
Jane Asher
Jane Asher is an English actress. She has also developed a second career as a cake decorator and cake shop proprietor.-Early life:...
, Toby Young
Toby Young
Toby Young, MA, FRSA is a British journalist and the author of How to Lose Friends and Alienate People, the tale of his stint in New York as a contributing editor at Vanity Fair magazine...
, A A Gill, Michael Gove
Michael Gove
Michael Andrew Gove, MP is a British politician, who currently serves as the Secretary of State for Education and as the Conservative Party Member of Parliament for the Surrey Heath constituency. He is also a published author and former journalist.Born in Edinburgh, Gove was raised in Aberdeen...
, Andy Burnham, David Starkey
David Starkey
David Starkey, CBE, FSA is a British constitutional historian, and a radio and television presenter.He was born the only child of Quaker parents, and attended Kendal Grammar School before entering Cambridge through a scholarship. There he specialised in Tudor history, writing a thesis on King...
, David Willetts
David Willetts
David Linsay Willetts is a British Conservative Party politician and the Minister of State for Universities and Science. He is the Member of Parliament representing the constituency of Havant in Hampshire.-Education:...
, Andrew Adonis
Andrew Adonis, Baron Adonis
Andrew Adonis, Baron Adonis is a British academic, journalist, Labour Party politician and Life Peer, who was Secretary of State for Transport between 2009-2010....
and Christopher Woodhead.
In 2006, Professor Seldon introduced Happiness Classes (or positive psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
) to Wellington College because he wanted pupils to focus both positive and negative emotions in a constructive and healthy way. The classes run weekly for those in the 14 - 16 age bracket. The classes offer skills on how to manage relationships, physical and mental health
Health
Health is the level of functional or metabolic efficiency of a living being. In humans, it is the general condition of a person's mind, body and spirit, usually meaning to be free from illness, injury or pain...
as well as how to achieve ambitions. They are taken by the college's religious education staff, headed by Ian Morris. Professor Seldon, says the lessons would complement rather than replace religion
Religion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
and are proving to be popular.
In 2007, Seldon was given a Chair at The College of Teachers
College of Teachers
The College of Teachers is an examining body and learned society of teachers, professors and associated professionals who work in education in the United Kingdom and elsewhere....
as Professor of Education. The College of Teachers awarded England's first Professorial Chair of Education to Joseph Payne in 1872.
Seldon is a patron of The Iris Project
The Iris Project
The Iris Project is an educational charity which was started in 2006 by Dr Lorna Robinson in order to bring ancient languages and culture to inner city state schools and communities...
, which runs innovative Literacy through Latin schemes in schools in deprived urban areas.
Videos
- Tony Blair in History Anthony Seldon summarizes his view of Tony Blair's accomplishments and challenges at this video online opening a conference on eight years of Blair government, in May 2006 &