The 400-year journey which transported the English language from a small country to the rest of the world will be discussed at Churchill College this week.

Cambridge alumnus Lord Watson of Richmond, CBE will give a free public talk on Thursday 6 December entitled ‘The voyage of English from first colony to global language'.

The talk will mark the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown, Virginia as the first English-speaking settlement in the New World, preceding the Pilgrim Fathers' arrival in New England on the Mayflower by 13 years.

Lord Watson will argue that the landing in Jamestown marked the first step in the spread of English from a single country to a global language for two billion people.

The Member of the House of Lords, businessman and author helped to organise much of the British involvement in the anniversary celebrations including the Queen's visit to Jamestown in May.

The talk coincides with the release of his book ‘Jamestown: The Voyage of English'. Lord Watson will cover many aspects of the language's journey including Winston Churchill's use of English during World War Two.

Lord Watson studied at Jesus College before taking a traineeship with the BBC. His extensive broadcasting career has included The Money Programme and Panorama on BBC television and BBC Radio 4 and the World Service.

He is a Patron of the Churchill Archives Centre, Chairman of the Cambridge Foundation, and a Chairman Emeritus of the English-Speaking Union.

The free event takes place at the Møller Centre Lecture Theatre, Churchill College, starting at 6pm.

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