Author Susan Ronald to host public lecture at Leeds Beckett

Part of the guest lecture series, Inside/Out - hosted by the University’s School of Art, Architecture and Design (AAD) – the event is free, open to the public and will take place from 12-2pm on Thursday 14 April at the Rose Bowl at the City Centre campus. Places can be booked at: bit.ly/SusanRonald.

Susan will discuss her latest book, Hitler’s Art Thief: Hildebrand Gurlitt, the Nazis, and the Looting of Europe's Treasures, which was described by fellow author and Wall Street Journal columnist Amanda Foreman as: “Absolutely gripping from start to finish.”

She will talk about how and why art and architecture were at the heart of the Nazi four-year plan to fund the conquering of Europe, and why the German government has been singularly unsuccessful in tracing the provenance of more than 1,700 looted works of art discovered in the ‘Gurlitt Hoard’ in 2013.

The book, which was published in September last year, is a tale rooted in expert research where Susan examines three generations of Gurlitts and sheds light on the stolen art world, which still impacts us today.

Born and raised in the United States, Susan has lived in England for more than 25 years. She is also the author of Heretic Queen, The Pirate Queen, The Sancy Blood Diamond, and France: Crossroads of Europe. She also owns a film production company and is a screenwriter and film producer.

Professor Simon Morris, organiser of Inside/Out, said: “The Centre for Culture and the Arts at Leeds Beckett University has supported the guest lecture by Susan Ronald because we recognise the importance of her research and the need to share these hidden histories with the students and the public.”