British Society for Cultural Freedom

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The British Society for Cultural Freedom was a national affiliate of the CIA-controlled Congress for Cultural Freedom.[1]

The Society was founded on 11 January 1951, at the Authors Club, Whitehall. Stephen Spender chaired the meeting at which Michael Goodwin and John Lowe were appointed Joint Honorary Secretaries. Others present included David Williams, Julian Amery and Richard Lowenthal.[2]

In early 1952, a new executive committee was elected which in turn elected new officers: Harman Grisewood (Chair), Malcolm Muggeridge (Vice-chair), Fredric Warburg (Treasurer), and Michael Goodwin (Secretary). John Clews was appointed National Organiser.[3]

Political Warfare

According to Hugh Wilford, the British Society for Cultural Freedom appears "to have engaged in covert, political warfare against communism, including the surveillance of communist or suspected communist-front organisations."[4]

Notes

  1. Hugh Wilford, Calling the Tune? The CIA, the British Left and the Cold War, Frank Cass, 2003, p.196.
  2. Hugh Wilford, Calling the Tune? The CIA, the British Left and the Cold War, Frank Cass, 2003, p.196.
  3. Hugh Wilford, Calling the Tune? The CIA, the British Left and the Cold War, Frank Cass, 2003, p.197.
  4. Hugh Wilford, Calling the Tune? The CIA, the British Left and the Cold War, Frank Cass, 2003, p.197.