The Orwell Society
UK-based literary and educational organisation dedicated to promoting the work and legacy of George Orwell.
Patron: Richard Blair
George Orwell
George Orwell is the renowned author of Nineteen Eighty-Four, Animal Farm, Homage to Catalonia, and numerous essays on politics, culture, and society.
The Orwell Society, founded in 2011, aims to encourage a deeper understanding of Orwell’s ideas, his commitment to truth, and his relevance in contemporary times.
The Orwell Society Mission
The Orwell Society operates with the primary goal of advancing the study and appreciation of Orwell’s literary and journalistic contributions.
The Society is independent and is not Party Political. The Society supports research into Orwell’s life and work including that on the themes of totalitarianism, freedom of speech, and social justice, and encourages the application of his insights to modern political and cultural issues.
Activities
The society organises a variety of activities, including:
- Lectures and Conferences – Hosting talks by Orwell scholars, journalists, and writers who explore Orwell’s influence on literature and political thought.
- Educational Initiatives – Supporting students, researchers, and writers through essay competitions and grants to encourage engagement with Orwell’s work.
- Publications and Newsletters – Producing articles, book reviews, and newsletters to keep members updated on Orwell-related discussions and new research.
- Guided Tours and Visits – Arranging visits to key Orwellian sites, such as his birthplace in India, his homes in the UK, and locations significant to The Road to Wigan Pier and Homage to Catalonia.
- Social Media and Online Presence – Engaging with a wider audience through its website, blog, and social media platforms, where Orwell’s ideas are discussed in relation to contemporary issues.
How to Join The Orwell Society
The Orwell Society is a registered UK charity and all subscriptions and donations go towards promoting the life and work of George Orwell.
We welcome members from all backgrounds, including academics, students, and general readers interested in Orwell’s work. Members gain access to exclusive events, research materials, and discussions on Orwell’s enduring impact.
Latest Articles
Preston Hall Sanatorium 2026
* In July 2026, following the Orwell Society’s visit to the places where George Orwell went hop-picking during his tramping days, our members Kevin and Sandra Carter visited the Preston Hall Sanatorium where Orwell spent several months beginning spring 1938 when his health broke down and his lungs began to leak blood. The editor of → Read full article
Irish Writers on the Spanish Civil War
By Martin Tyrrell * In late 1937, George Orwell reviewed Mairin Mitchell’s Storm Over Spain, along with several other books on the Spanish conflict, for Time and Tide. His comments on the Mitchell book were brief but positive. He was particularly pleased that Mitchell, unlike most other writers on Spain, approved of the Spanish anarchists. → Read full article
‘A Small And Select Circulation’
Harold Rubinstein: The Life and Work of a Literary Lawyer * Introduction. Law and Literature have long been bed-fellows. Think of the song-writer Frederic Weatherley who wrote ‘O Danny Boy’ and ‘Roses of Picardy’ and ‘The Old Brigade’ when he was not working as a barrister. Post Second World War there was Michael Gilbert, crime → Read full article
British Volunteers and the Spanish Civil War
A Review * A recent survey of attitudes by Gallup suggested that in western Europe, the willingness to fight for one’s country, should the call come, is fading, with this recent generation the lowest recorded. This decline may or may not be cynicism with the political process. But in any case, until quite recently, the → Read full article
The Orwell Statue
The Orwell Society owns the statue of Orwell (sculpted by Martin Jennings) outside Broadcasting House the headquarters of the BBC in London.
International
