The Regius Professor of History (until 2011, Modern History) at the University of Oxford is a long-established professorial position.Originally the Regius Professor of Modern History, the Modern was dropped in 2005. See Modern History was a term of art, contrasting with ancient history. Holders of the title have often been medieval historians. The first appointment was made in 1724. The term "Regius" reflects the origins of the post as a royal appointment, itself a recognition of the important influence of history.
The Regius Professor of History is ex officio a Fellow of Oriel College. Professor Lyndal Roper held the Regius Professorship from 2011 to 2025,Alumni and Friends news ; Balliol College the first woman (and the first Australian) to have done so.
Past holders (complete)
1724–1736 – David Gregory 1736–1742 – William Holmes 1742–1768 – Joseph Spence 1768–1771 – John Vivian 1771–1801 – Thomas Nowell 1801–1813 – Henry Beeke 1813–1841 – Edward Nares 1841–1842 – Thomas Arnold 1842–1848 – John Antony Cramer 1848–1858 – Henry Halford Vaughan 1858–1866 – Goldwin Smith 1866–1884 – William Stubbs 1884–1892 – Edward Augustus Freeman 1892–1894 – James Anthony Froude 1894–1904 – Frederick York Powell 1904–1925 – Charles Harding Firth 1925–1928 – Henry William Carless Davis 1928–1947 – Maurice Powicke 1947–1957 – Vivian Hunter Galbraith 1957–1980 – Hugh Trevor-Roper 1980–1989 – Michael Eliot Howard 1990–1997 – John Huxtable Elliott 1997–2011 – Robert John Weston Evans 2011–2025 – Lyndal Roper
See also Regius Professor of History (Cambridge)
References