An Imperial Legacy: The Beit Contribution to Higher Education in Britain, and Beyond
Thu 4 Mar · 14:00
Sherfield Building, South Kensington Campus
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An Imperial Legacy: The Beit Contribution to Higher Education in Britain, and Beyond will run on 4 March 2027 at the Sherfield Building on the South Kensington Campus. The talk is free to attend and features various speakers discussing the contributions of Alfred and Otto Beit.
The German-Jewish brothers Alfred and Otto Beit rank among the most important donors to Imperial College London, and to several other institutions in Britain and overseas. Yet their fortune was made from diamond and gold mining in South Africa, while their active support for British imperialism has raised questions over their eponymous presence in university halls, libraries and fellowships to this day. This illustrated presentation will trace the involvement of the Beit brothers and other German Jews with British imperialism, asking why academia has largely remained silent on the issue until recent years. It will examine the motivations and the meaning behind their cultural patronage and philanthropic giving, in the postcolonial context and in their own time. John Hilary is an honorary professor in the School of Politics and International Relations at the University of Nottingham. His most recent book, Magnates and Masterpieces: The German-Jewish Collectors of Edwardian Britain, was published by Yale University Press in November 2025.
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Frequently asked questions
An Imperial Legacy: The Beit Contribution to Higher Education in Britain, and Beyond takes place on Thursday, 4 March 2027 at 14:00.
An Imperial Legacy: The Beit Contribution to Higher Education in Britain, and Beyond is held at Sherfield Building, South Kensington Campus in London (ASL S303A, (Access via Sherfield Level 3), Sherfield Building, SW7 2AZ).
Entry to An Imperial Legacy: The Beit Contribution to Higher Education in Britain, and Beyond is free.
Yes — hotels within walking distance of Sherfield Building, South Kensington Campus can be compared using the accommodation search further down this page.
Tickets for An Imperial Legacy: The Beit Contribution to Higher Education in Britain, and Beyond can be booked via imperial.ac.uk using the "Check Tickets & Live Prices" button on this page, which opens the official booking site in a new tab.
Editorial summaryAbout this event
An Imperial Legacy: The Beit Contribution to Higher Education in Britain, and Beyond will run on 4 March 2027 at the Sherfield Building on the South Kensington Campus. The talk is free to attend and features various speakers discussing the contributions of Alfred and Otto Beit.
This summary was automatically generated from event data sourced from official ticketing providers.
The German-Jewish brothers Alfred and Otto Beit rank among the most important donors to Imperial College London, and to several other institutions in Britain and overseas. Yet their fortune was made from diamond and gold mining in South Africa, while their active support for British imperialism has raised questions over their eponymous presence in university halls, libraries and fellowships to this day. This illustrated presentation will trace the involvement of the Beit brothers and other German Jews with British imperialism, asking why academia has largely remained silent on the issue until recent years. It will examine the motivations and the meaning behind their cultural patronage and philanthropic giving, in the postcolonial context and in their own time. John Hilary is an honorary professor in the School of Politics and International Relations at the University of Nottingham. His most recent book, Magnates and Masterpieces: The German-Jewish Collectors of Edwardian Britain, was published by Yale University Press in November 2025.
Description supplied by the event organiser.
StayStaying overnight?
Hotels within walking distance of Sherfield Building, South Kensington Campus. Searching near ASL S303A, (Access via Sherfield Level 3), Sherfield Building, SW7 2AZ; check-in Thursday, 4 March 2027.
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WhereSherfield Building, South Kensington Campus
ASL S303A, (Access via Sherfield Level 3), Sherfield Building, SW7 2AZ
Westminster, London
Before you goFrequently asked questions
When is An Imperial Legacy: The Beit Contribution to Higher Education in Britain, and Beyond?
An Imperial Legacy: The Beit Contribution to Higher Education in Britain, and Beyond takes place on Thursday, 4 March 2027 at 14:00.
Where is An Imperial Legacy: The Beit Contribution to Higher Education in Britain, and Beyond taking place?
An Imperial Legacy: The Beit Contribution to Higher Education in Britain, and Beyond is held at Sherfield Building, South Kensington Campus in London (ASL S303A, (Access via Sherfield Level 3), Sherfield Building, SW7 2AZ).
How much are tickets for An Imperial Legacy: The Beit Contribution to Higher Education in Britain, and Beyond?
Entry to An Imperial Legacy: The Beit Contribution to Higher Education in Britain, and Beyond is free.
Is there anywhere to stay near An Imperial Legacy: The Beit Contribution to Higher Education in Britain, and Beyond?
Yes — hotels within walking distance of Sherfield Building, South Kensington Campus can be compared using the accommodation search further down this page.
How do I get tickets for An Imperial Legacy: The Beit Contribution to Higher Education in Britain, and Beyond?
Tickets for An Imperial Legacy: The Beit Contribution to Higher Education in Britain, and Beyond can be booked via imperial.ac.uk using the "Check Tickets & Live Prices" button on this page, which opens the official booking site in a new tab.
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ASL S303A, (Access via Sherfield Level 3), Sherfield Building, SW7 2AZ
Secure checkout on imperial.ac.uk — opens in a new tab
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