The National Archives is the official archive and publisher for the UK government and for England and Wales, and is the guardian of some of the nation’s most iconic national documents, dating back over 1,000 years.
We are expert advisers in information and records management and are a cultural, academic and heritage institution. We fulfil a leadership role for the archive sector and work to secure the future of physical and digital records.
About the Event
One of the infamous Cambridge Five spy ring, Anthony Blunt was MI5’s most famous Russian spy and double agent. He was also the most garlanded and powerful British art historian of his generation, a Knight of the Realm, Surveyor of the Queen’s Pictures, Director of the Courtauld Institute of Art and recipient of the French Legion d’honneur.
Miranda Carter, his biographer, takes us to the heart of this enigmatic and deeply compartmentalised man: his background, his motivations, how he was recruited, what he did for the Soviet Union, and how he was found out, confessed and exposed as the ‘fourth man’ in 1979. She’ll also discuss how Blunt’s passion for art fascinatingly intertwined with his involvement in espionage.
Miranda Carter is the author of the award-winning Anthony Blunt: His Lives, as well as a series of historical thrillers featuring the former spy, Jeremiah Blake. She writes for the London Review of Books and is fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.
Discover the full season of events accompanying our new, free exhibition, MI5: Official Secrets – open from 5 April to 28 September. Book now at Eventbrite.
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About the National Archives UK
The UK National Archives is a rich resource for anyone interested in British history, genealogy, legal records, or other archival materials—even if you’re based outside the United Kingdom. Here are several ways the National Archives can assist individuals residing in other countries, including the United States:
Online Access to Digitized Records:
The National Archives has been actively digitizing its collections, making a vast array of documents available online. Whether you are looking for historical government records, military documents, or personal records, you can search their online catalog and access many documents from anywhere in the world.
Research Guides and Tutorials:
To help researchers navigate the extensive collections, the Archives offers detailed research guides, tutorials, and webinars. These resources provide step-by-step instructions on how to find and interpret records, which is particularly useful for those unfamiliar with the UK’s archival systems.
Remote Reference Services:
Even if you can’t visit in person, you can often contact the National Archives’ research staff for assistance. They offer remote reference services through email and sometimes telephone consultations, which can help clarify your research questions or guide you in using their online tools.
Copy Request Services:
If you need a certified copy of a specific record, the Archives provides services to order copies by post or electronically. This allows international users to obtain physical or digital copies of documents that are relevant to their research.
Genealogical Research:
For individuals tracing family history, the UK National Archives holds a wealth of records that can shed light on ancestors who may have lived or worked in the UK. The archives provide specialized guidance on accessing these genealogical records, which is especially useful for researchers in the United States.
Special Collections and Thematic Archives:
Beyond government records, the National Archives also hosts special collections that cover various aspects of British society and history. These can be invaluable for academic research or personal interest in topics ranging from social history to legal developments.
Through the organization’s extensive digital collections, comprehensive research support, and services tailored for remote users, the UK National Archives plays a vital role in facilitating international research and making British historical records accessible to a global audience.
The National Archives is the official archive and publisher for the UK government and for England and Wales, and is the guardian of some of the nation’s most iconic national documents, dating back over 1,000 years.
The National Archives is a non-ministerial department.
