Swansea Professor attends US President’s historic Westminster address
Jon Roper, Professor of American Studies at Swansea University’s College of Arts and Humanities, was in the audience for President Barack Obama’s historic address at Westminster Hall this week (Wednesday, May 25).
Professor Roper joined members of both Houses of Parliaments and invited guests, including three former British prime ministers, the American Ambassador Louis Susman, film-star Tom Hanks, distinguished American historian Doris Kearns Godwin, and other leading members of the American Studies academic community in the UK, following an invitation from the Cultural Affairs Section of the US Embassy in London.
After the President’s speech, Professor Roper also attended a reception given by the Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow.
Professor Roper said: “It was an honour to be invited to such an occasion. The President’s address re-affirmed the principles and the values that have underpinned the transatlantic alliance for well over a century and charted its course for the future.
“It will be remembered as one of the most significant speeches of his presidency.”
Professor Roper publishes widely on the American presidency and the politics of the USA.
His first book, Democracy and its Critics (1989) was recently republished in the Routledge Revivals series, which makes available titles by some of the world’s most eminent academic scholars.
His latest book, American Politics: A Beginners Guide is published by Oneworld Press on Wednesday, June 1, 2011.
For further information about Swansea University’s College of Arts and Humanities, visit http://www.swan.ac.uk/artsandhumanities/.
