The Society for the Protection of Science and Learning as a patron of refugee mathematicians

2015

The Society for the Protection of Science and Learning (SPSL, which started out as the Academic Assistance Council (AAC) 1933–36) distinguished itself from many other aid organizations set up in response to Nazi policies towards Jews and political dissidents in its focus on academic excellence as a criterion for support. Its archives are deposited in the Bodleian Library. Today, the organization is known as the Council for At-Risk Academics (CARA, http://www.cara1933.org/).In the archives of the SPSL, there are files on two and a half thousand scientists, victims of persecution in their home countries, who appealed to the Society for assistance in finding refuge and work in Britain. Almost …