David Brydan
Lecturer in the History of Modern International Relations
David Brydan's work revolves around the history of international cooperation and exchange in the twentieth century, particularly the international history of modern Europe. David is interested in the history of global and international health in the 20th century, including the work of international health organisations such as the WHO, and of international networks of health experts. He is also interested in the history of intelligence.
His most recent book, Smart: A History of Intelligence (Footnote Press, 2026) explores how the idea of intelligence, particularly high intelligence, became embedded in modern life and the way we think about inequality.
He also works on the history of internationalism in the 20th century, including the history of right-wing and fascist forms of international cooperation, and the history of humanitarianism. His first book, Franco’s Internationalists (available open access), explores the role of health and welfare experts in promoting Spain’s Franco regime on the international stage. It explores the debate about Spain during the early history of the WHO, inter-imperial health cooperation in post-war Africa, and international networks of health experts in Latin America. He has published articles on Francoist leprosy care in colonial Africa, and international health cooperation in Nazi-occupied Europe. Heisthe editor of the Bloomsbury Histories of Internationalism book series, and the co-editor of the book Internationalists in European History: Rethinking the Twentieth Century.
BOOKS
Biography
David completed his PhD at Birkbeck, University of London, and has worked at King’s since 2018. He is currently the Senior Tutor in the History department. He is a fellow of the Royal Historical Society.
POSTGRADUATE SUPERVISION
Research interests and PhD supervision
The history of internationalism and humanitarianism, in particular the religious dimensions of the history of internation cooperation and humanitarianism, as well as right-wing, authoritarian, and anti-communist forms of internationalism, and the history of the international health and refugee relief.
The history of intelligence, including intelligence science, everyday ideas about what intelligence means, intelligence and the history of technology, and ideas about cognitive elites and inequality.
The history of Spain in the 20th century, including Spain’s relationship to the rest of the world, and the history of Spanish humanitarianism
Public engagement
David speaks and writes on the history of intelligence and its relevance to modern debates, including about AI. He has written for publications like El País and the Huffington Post on topics including the history of Spain and the history of internationalism.
He is particularly interested in work with schools and history teachers, and has edited an Historical Association companion for teachers, Exploring and Teaching Twentieth-Century History.