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Back to topONLINE EVENT: Mary McArthur and the National Federation of Working Women
One of a series of free online talks on trade union and working class history, organised jointly by the GFTU Educational Trust, Marx Memorial Library & Workers' School and the Working Class Movement Library.
Sign up for the series here: https://gftuet.org.uk/courses/trade-union-and-working-class-history
Please note: You only need to sign up once to access all online sessions.
ONLINE EVENT: The 1918 Equal Pay Strike
One of a series of free online talks on trade union and working class history, organised jointly by the GFTU Educational Trust, Marx Memorial Library & Workers' School and the Working Class Movement Library.
Sign up for the series here: https://gftuet.org.uk/courses/trade-union-and-working-class-history
Please note: You only need to sign up once to access all online sessions.
ONSITE & ONLINE SYMPOSIUM: Wapping at 40: the Strike that Made the Modern Media
Email: m.jump@marx-memorial-library.org.uk
Full programme:
09:45
Doors open
Tea and coffee available
10:15
Welcome and introduction
Meirian Jump, Marx Memorial Library & Workers’ School (MML)
10:30 – 12:15
The Wapping Dispute: An Introduction
Chair: Ann Field, MML
Striking and sacked workers:
Paul King (NGA)
John Lang (SOGAT)
Greg Neale (NUJ)
12:15 – 12:45
Remembering the dispute in our archives
Matt Dunne, MML
Tamsin Bookey, Tower Hamlets Archive
Katy Easthill, Brunel University
12:45 – 13:30
Lunch break
An opportunity to pop out for refreshments and to view the exhibition and reading room display, with Matt Dunne and Wapping strikers and supporters
13:30 – 15:00
The State, the Law and the Wapping Dispute
Chair: Louisa Bull, former Unite the Union
Ruth Dukes, University of Glasgow
Morag Livingstone, writer and documentary filmmaker
15:00 – 16:15
The Media: Then and Now
Chair: Tommy Murphy, Unite the Union
Ben Chacko, Morning Star
Granville Williams, MediaNorth
Mike Wayne, Brunel University
16:15 – 16:30
Summing up and closing remarks
Tony Burke, former Assistant General Secretary, Unite the Union
ONLINE TASTER SESSION: Introducing Marx & Marxism
This short session is for anyone who’s ever wanted to know a bit more about Marxism. It includes a short introduction from a tutor at the Marx Memorial Library and then is an opportunity to ask questions and discuss more.
At the end, maybe you’ll want to do more. If so, there are lots more courses run by the Marx Memorial Library’s Workers’ School where you can go into greater depth and learn about this phenomenon.
Email: info@marx-memorial-library.org.uk
REGISTER HERE
BOOK SALE
Our twice-yearly Second-Hand Book Sale
11am to 3pm
Email: info@marx-memorial-library.org.uk
OUTREACH EVENT: The Archive Exposed at the London Museum
A collaborative Exhibition between Marx Memorial Library & Workers' School and the University of the Creative Arts
Enjoy the display and contribution from Greg Bunbury on design's social impact.
At London Museum Studios https://www.londonmuseum.org.uk/studios/
ONLINE LECTURE: Wilhelm Liebknecht - Soldier of the Revolution
A special online lecture marking 200 years since the birth of Wilhelm Liebknecht from Valentin J. Hemberger
Email: info@marx-memorial-library.org.uk
200 years ago, Wilhelm Liebknecht (1826-1900), the father of the more well known Karl Liebknecht, was born in the rural town Giessen in the middle of Germany.
His private and political life was closely linked to the radical democratic and socialist movement of his time: as a revolutionary, he had to flee persecution to London, where he internalised the ideas of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. Back in his German homeland, he fought tirelessly in the ranks of the socialist labour movement.
As a courageous politician and sharp-tongued journalist, he opposed militarism, imperialism and colonialism. He played a key role in the creation of a united Social Democratic Party and in the spread of Marxist ideas in the German Empire in the late 19th century. As a ‘soldier of the revolution’ (his nickname), neither personal imprisonment nor the persecution of German socialists in the 1880s could deter him from standing up for his internationalist convictions.
Valentin J. Hemberger (*1987), works as an historian, lecture and journalist. Research focuses are the Weimar Republic (especially left-wing media), labour movement and the history of the Soviet Union until 1945.
REGISTER HERE
ONSITE EVENT: Exploring the life of Paul Robeson at MML
This a free, drop-in event and is part of Finsbury Winter Warmer programme joint with Islington Heritage.
Email: m.jump@marx-memorial-library.org.uk
Join us at the Marx Memorial Library on 20 January, 4–6pm for a special Finsbury Winter Warmer event celebrating Paul Robeson — activist, actor and singer — marking 50 years since his death. Enjoy a short introduction to his remarkable life, an archive display, and refreshments in our historic Clerkenwell setting.
ONSITE & ONLINE BOOK LAUNCH: Comrades in Art
A talk by Andy marking the publication of Comrades in Art! explores the rise of the Artists International Association alongside the Marx Memorial Library
Email: m.jump@marx-memorial-library.org.uk
In the same month that the Marx Memorial Library and Workers School opened its doors for the first time, the Artists International Association was born not far away in Covent Garden. From autumn 1933 onwards the two organisations developed in tandem as the AIA expanded to become a major popular front organisation with a thousand members, a national programme and many international links.
In a talk marking publication of his book and previewing Comrades in Art a major exhibition opening at Towner Eastbourne in May 2026, Andy will be talking about the lives of the activists who built the organisation and how the AIA's fight against fascism and in defence of cultural freedom holds up a mirror to our own times.
Comrades in Art published by Thames and Hudson has already attracted strong reviews ('A triumph' TLS; 'Exemplary' Observer; 'Compelling' Spectator; 'Remarkable' Art Newspaper; 'Subjects simmering with energy and dedication' Literary Review). The book will be available on the night at a discounted price.