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Martyn Everett

Areas of Interest

Alumni, Media

Honorary Award

Honorary Master of Arts, 1996

Biography

The Honorary award of Master of Arts was conferred on Martyn Everett in recognition of his work as a powerful collaborator in our University's mission of deepening our links with the local community.

Martyn Everett studied for his 'A' levels here in the early 1970s. He returned to the then CCAT as a mature student in the late seventies to read History and Sociology, before pursuing a career as a librarian.

Martyn Everett's life and work is informed by his anarchist philosophy. Committed to promoting change 'from below' by giving people free access to information which affects their communities. For many years he has worked to protect the natural environment and to preserve historic buildings and ancient monuments.

As a Librarian employed by Essex County Libraries with responsibility for the Victorian Studies Centre in Saffron Walden, he organised a series of annual lectures, and day-schools, on Victorian themes given by members of our University. This venture played a significant part in generating enthusiasm for an interdisciplinary MA in Victorian studies.

He is currently Chairman of the Saffron Walden Town Library Society, a member of the National Committee of the Association of Independent Libraries, and is the author of several books.



Citation

"Martyn Everett's links with the East Road campus go back to the early 1970s when he took his 'A' levels at CCAT, or the Tech, as it was affectionately known. After qualifying as a professional librarian, Martyn returned to CCAT in 1977 as a mature student to read History and Sociology. Tutors remember him as among the best-read and intellectually sophisticated undergraduates. His final year dissertation was a first-class piece of work, singled out for commendation by the External Examiner. As an A level, and as a degree student, Martyn played a full part in college life as editor of the Student Union newspaper and as an active member of college societies. Martyn Everett has proved an exemplary alumnus. He has maintained contact with his tutors and has become a powerful collaborator in the University's mission of deepening of links between APU and the community.

Since graduating Martyn Everett has remained dedicated to intellectual enquiry and debate. He was a founder member of the Anarchist Research Group, which is affiliated to the History Workshop, the collective of professional and community-based researchers which has made the most sustained and substantial contribution to the writing of history 'from below'. For 2 years he was editor of the Anarchist Research Group newsletter. He has published many articles and reviews in the academic and in the popular press.

Martyn Everett's life and work is informed by his anarchist philosophy. He is committed to promoting change 'from below' by giving people free access to information which affects their communities: he is an active campaigner for community radio. For over 20 years he has worked to protect the natural environment and to preserve historic buildings and ancient monuments.

Martyn Everett is currently a member of staff of the Essex County Library Service. Based at Saffron Walden, he has responsibility for the Victorian Studies Centre and the Local Studies Collection. He works tirelessly to develop the Centre and to promote it as a focus for formal and informal education in the area. Anglia students are among the many to have benefited from his professional and academic support.

Unsurprisingly, Martyn Everett's academic reputation, professional practice and prominence in community politics made him a key figure in the last phase of Raymond Williams' life, when he moved from Cambridge to spend his, sadly short, retirement in King's Lynn.

APU's most sustained contribution to the rich and diverse programme of events organised by Martyn Everett is a series of annual lectures on Victorian themes given by members of the Schools of Arts and Letters and of Humanities and Social Science: lecturers in English, History and History of Art. This venture has played a significant part in generating enthusiasm for an interdisciplinary MA in Victorian Studies. It is no coincidence that Clarissa Campbell Orr, the founding organiser with Martyn Everett of the lecture series, is the convenor of the team charged with the development of the postgraduate programme. It is an enterprise in which his former tutors and present friends and colleagues confidently hope and expect Martyn Everett to be an active partner."