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History Society Lecture

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'Religious Disputes and the Custody of Children: Dr Barnardo in the House of Lords'

Speaker: Professor Michael Lobban FBA

In the 19th century, disputes over the custody of children often centred on disagreements over the religious upbringing of the child in question and whether the child should be educated in the faith of its deceased father. In the 1890s, Dr Thomas Barnardo, famous for the homes for destitute and orphaned children he had founded in the East End of London, became involved in several of bitter custody cases with strong sectarian overtones. The fiercely evangelical Dr Barnardo resisted attempts by Catholic agencies acting on behalf of Catholic mothers to gain custody of children in his homes through the writ of habeas corpus.

The talk will focus especially on two landmark cases involving Barnardo which reached the House of Lords in this decade.

In person and livestreamed from Temple Church, London
Lecture: 6pm - 7pm (GMT+1)
Reception: 7pm - 8pm

Not an Inner Temple Member? Please scroll beneath the Members Login box and click Add Ticket. If you experience any issues booking, please email members@innertemple.org.uk

Past Lectures are available on www.innertemple.org.uk/historylectures

Cancel by: 30/04/2025
Please note: cancellations made after this may not be refunded.

Start Date: 8th May 2025 at 6:45 pm

End Date: 8th May 2025 at 7:45 pm

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