Portuguese History
Lochery’s contributions to the history of Portugal reflect his deep interest in the country’s political, cultural, and social evolution, particularly during the 20th century. His works in this field examine Portugal's transitions, from the Salazar dictatorship to the democratic revolution, and its complex international relationships.
2020
2009-2011
History of Porto
in recent years, Neill Lochery has turned his attention to the history of Porto, exploring how the city’s unique identity has been shaped by both its deep-rooted traditions and its evolving role in Portugal’s modern development. His research highlights Porto’s enduring commercial and cultural influence, from its international reputation built around the port wine trade to its resilience during times of political and economic upheaval. By situating Porto within broader national and global contexts, Lochery shows how the city’s history reflects the complexities of Portugal itself—at once outward-looking and proudly independent, a place where local identity intersects with international currents of change.
Portugal and the Estado Novo – 1933-1974
In this extensive study, Neill draws on unpublished material from archives in Britain, Portugal, and the United States to examine Lisbon during one of the most contentious chapters of its modern history—the Estado Novo era (1933–1974). His research traces the city’s transformation over four decades of authoritarian rule, highlighting its role in the Spanish Civil War, World War II neutrality, the Cold War, NATO’s presence, and the early stages of decolonization. Lisbon emerges not only as a stage for global diplomacy—frequented by foreign leaders, heads of state, and international figures—but also as a city of contradictions: increasingly isolated on the world stage while experiencing notable cultural, industrial, and economic growth. A key focus is the question of Portuguese neutrality and the plight of Jewish refugees who passed through Lisbon during World War II. The findings were published in Portuguese in 2013 as Lisboa: A Cidade Vista de Fora, 1933–1974 (Outside Looking In). Further details can be found on the dedicated book page of this website.
Portugal 1939-45: Neutrality and the Jewish refugees
Neill’s research delves into one of the most complex questions of the Second World War: neutrality and its profound consequences. Central to his study are the dilemmas faced by Jewish refugees who sought safety in Portugal, specifically Lisbon, a city that became both a sanctuary and a crossroads during the conflict. His work situates these human stories within the larger framework of trade, diplomacy, and the naval struggle between the Allies and Axis powers during the short yet intense years of 1939–1945. Drawing on newly released and previously unpublished archival material, Neill has pieced together a vivid portrait of Lisbon as a city caught in the shadows of global war. This extensive research culminated in the major publication Lisbon: War in the Shadows of the City of Light, 1939–45, as well as the international photographic exhibition Lisbon: Bottleneck of Europe in WWII. Beyond these, his findings have informed a series of articles in The Wall Street Journal, where he links wartime themes to contemporary political and social challenges facing Portugal today. For readers seeking more detail, a comprehensive synopsis of Lisbon: War in the Shadows of the City of Light is available in the Lisbon section, while the Journalism section provides direct links to his Wall Street Journal contributions.