History & Humanities

Famous People and Their Illnesses

Leader Professor Alan Silman

Professor Alan Silman has kindly offered to give a series of talks on this subject. The first is entitled JFK: was he ever fit (enough) to be President?

Using diaries, letters, and other previously little reported medical information, together with some recently uncovered video clips, Alan will explore the chequered medical history of JFK: how much it affected his presidency, and even how it might have contributed to his assassination?

• Start date: Thursday 28 November
• When: Thursdays, 11.00 am–12.00 pm (different week from Remarkable Women)
• Frequency: Monthly (no session in December)
• Location: Elders Vestry, HGS Free Church, North Square, London NW11 7AG

History of London — 2,000 Years of a City

Leader: Eleanor Levy

18 sessions over 3 terms will cover the growth of the capital from Roman times to the present day. Additionally, the leader will arrange relevant field trips.

• When: Tuesday 10.00 am – 12.00 pm
• Frequency: Fortnightly
• Where: Leader’s home in NW11

History Speaking

Leader: Eleanor Levy

18 sessions spanning 3 terms, which will explore different aspects of world history, notable movements, events and individuals. In each instance there will be a DVD followed by a group discussion.

• When: Tuesday 2.00–4.00 pm
• Frequency: Fortnightly (the sessions will be repeated the following week)
• Where: Leader’s home in NW11

Remarkable Women of Their Time

Leader: Tamara Rabin

Tamara Rabin is an English Heritage volunteer guide at Kenwood with a keen interest in women of note in history. In this series of talks, Tamara will focus on the lives of a number of remarkable women living largely during 18th and 19th centuries. What impact did these women have on society? Did they change the way women live their lives today? What do today’s women owe to them, if anything?

• When: Mondays 11:00–12:00 (different week from Famous People & Their Illnesses)
• Frequency: Monthly
• Location: HGS Free Church, North Square, NW11 7AG

Simple Guide to Islam

Leader: Shama Husain

This is a series of 4 two-hour weekly talks for a small group of 8 at Shama’s home in East Finchley, N2, where tea and coffee will be provided.
The topics will include:

1. Background of the history of the Arabs….. Early life of Prophet Muhammad
2. First revelation when he was 40 and Early Muslims in Makkah and Madinah
3. The Qur’an and the tenets of Islam
4. Commonalities with the other Abrahamic faiths: Judaism and Christianity

• Next series: 7, 14, 21 & 28 January 2025
• When: Tuesday 3.00–5.00 pm
• Frequency: Weekly
• Location: Leader’s home in N2 (PLEASE NOTE THIS IS UP STAIRS)