I believe that history is one of the most important disciplines we can ever study. The knowledge of the past that it can provide can not just be endlessly interesting, but it can help us to lead productive and worthwhile lives in the present.

History helps us to look at things from different angles and so enables us to avoid extreme and incautious positions – there are always different ways to look at past events, things are never black and white. It helps us to consider events or decisions in the present, both large and small, by comparing them to how similar things played out in the past…by doing so we can think carefully about the possible consequence of decisions, making us more logical and coherent thinkers.

But most all, it teaches us to have complete respect for evidence: ask people to back their points up before they try and influence you to do something; be cautious about the unsupported claims of politicians, pundits or newspapers; but once the evidence backs you up, be confident in your decision making and life choices.