The ESU Kansas City Branch hosts many prominent authors and scholars including ESU’s own Evelyn Wrench Lecture Series named after our founder. These renowned British and American speakers present programs on a wide range of  topics, including but not limited to, current events, history, language, literature, art, architecture, and travel.

In September, 2023, the Kansas City Branch was privileged to welcome Dr. Andrew Lownie direct from London who presented an intriguing program on his book, “Stalin’s Englishman: Guy Burgess, the Cold War, and the Cambridge Spy Ring.” The notorious English-born Soviet spy, Guy Burgess, was one of the most fascinating and utterly ruthless men who betrayed his country to the Soviet Union. Lownie is a best-selling author, journalist, and one of Britain’s most acclaimed biographers.

In March 2022, the Kansas City Branch hosted former British Ambassador to China, Sir Christopher Hum KCMG. Amb. Hum has been observing developments in China for over forty years: he lived there for ten years as a diplomat and was British Ambassador to China between 2002-2005. He regaled audiences with his insight into US-China diplomatic relations.

Another Speaker series, the Fulbright-Robertson Visiting Professor of British History lecture program at Westminster College, in Fulton, Missouri,  has had British speakers give presentations to ESU Kansas City members over the years.

Selection of past guest speakers in ESU Kansas City Branch: