University Distinguished Lecture

Biographical Data

Barbara A. Hanawalt King George III Professor of British History Department of History

"Barbara Hanawalt is without question, the world's leading scholar of late medieval England," stated nominator Nicholas Howe, a professor in the Department of English at the University of California, Berkeley. "I think of her not merely as an eminent medievalist but as one of the crown jewels of the Ohio State University."

Hanawalt is the author of four important scholarly monographs, one synthetic work aimed at general readers, co-author of a major textbook, editor or co-editor of seven additional books and the author of 45 articles. She was president of the National Association of Social Science Historians and is currently president of the Medieval Academy of America. Her research has covered different topics in social history, including the importance of gender relations, economic history and cultural history.

Department of History colleague Professor James Bartholomew said Hanawalt has long demonstrated a considerable flair for reaching beyond the audience of professional specialists. "Her book, The Middle Ages: An Illustrated History, is a model of charm and wit," he said.

"Her own research has contributed greatly to our understanding of diverse social, economic, cultural and gender-related topics," wrote Marjorie McIntosh, Distinguished University Professor also in the Department of History. "Her textbooks are widely used, helping to shape what students across North America are learning and think about the medieval period."

Hanawalt joined Ohio State in 1999 as the King George III Professor of British History after teaching at Indiana University and the University of Minnesota. She received her bachelor's degree from Rutgers University and both her master's and doctorate degrees from the University of Michigan.