During the 1930s British and French scientists developed sociabilities mixing professional relations with political or ideological affinities, social leanings and engagement against fascism. An Anglo-French Society of Sciences was established in May 1940.
J. G. Crowther played a key role in these networks. His conception of the social and international function of science was developed in his "imaginary history of the Anglo-French Society of Sciences", written in June 1940.