In the 1940s the gifted German-Jewish surgeon Ludwig Guttmann pioneered wheelchair sports at Stoke Mandeville Hospital after escaping persecution in Nazi Germany in 1939.

This talk by Dr Martin Polley, Senior Lecturer in Sport at the University of Southampton, will explore the importance of Guttmann's personal contribution to the Paralympic Movement.

Polley is a sports historian who has published widely on the social, cultural and political history of sport. His books include Moving the Goalposts: a history of sport and society since 1945 (1998), Sports History: a practical guide (2006), and The British Olympics: Britain's Olympic heritage 1612-2012, published by English Heritage in 2011.

Admission is free, but please contact the Library to reserve a place.