This event is an open discussion of Dr Rowe’s recent and authoritative new biography of J L Austin— a fascinating figure, who was both one of the leading philosophers of the 20th Century, and as revealed in Rowe’s book, also a crucial figure in the history of military intelligence, responsible for the intelligence behind the D-Day landings of 1944.

This book – the first biography of Austin – throws new light on his personality, relationships, philosophical development, and tragically premature death; and emphasizes his importance as a senior Intelligence officer in World War Two, the inventor of speech-act theory, and the leader of Oxford Ordinary Language Philosophy 1945-60.

The event is chaired by Thomas Simpson, Associate Professor of Philosophy & Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government.