Michael Young: In Retrospect

Abstract

Michael Young (1915–2002), Lord Young of Dartington, sociologist, ‘social entrepreneur’ and originator of dozens of organisations, was a prominent figure in many areas of British life in the latter half of the twentieth century. On 14 January 2004, to mark the second anniversary of his death and the deposition of his archives at Churchill College, Cambridge, a conference was held at which Peter Hennessy, Martin Daunton, Pat Thane, Hilary Perraton and Matthew Hilton were invited to assess Young's contribution to different aspects of contemporary British life. Their presentations are published here in this special section devoted to Michael Young, together with a foreword by his biographer, Lord Asa Briggs. The editors of Contemporary British History wish to thank the Churchill Archives Centre, and particularly Allen Packwood, for enabling this event to take place.