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Lecture

Helen Fry
Pius XII: Hero or Villain?

Thursday 5.12.2024

How to watch

This lecture starts on 5 December at 5:00pm (UK).

Summary

Helen Fry looks at the controversial figure of Pope Pius XII (1876–1958). In this presentation Helen examines whether there is anything positive in his legacy at the Vatican. Was he a villain as history has portrayed him, a Nazi collaborator, or is the picture more complex?

Helen Fry

an image of Helen Fry

Helen Fry has authored and edited over 25 books covering the social history of the Second World War, including British Intelligence and the secret war, espionage, and spies, as well as MI9 escape and evasion. She is the foremost authority on the “secret listeners” who worked at special eavesdropping sites operated by British Intelligence during WWII. Helen is the official biographer of MI6 spymaster, Colonel Thomas Joseph Kendrick. She has also extensively written about the 10,000 Germans who fought for Britain during WWII. Helen has appeared in a number of documentaries and has provided advisory services for TV and drama. She also appears regularly in media interviews and podcasts. Helen is an ambassador for the National Centre for Military Intelligence (NCMI) and serves as a trustee of both the Friends of the Intelligence Corps Museum and the Medmenham Collection. She works in London.