A renowned historian specializing in modern German and European history, particularly the Third Reich and Nazi Germany, shedding light on the darkest periods of human history.
Sir Richard J. Evans is a British historian of immense repute, known for his meticulous research and authoritative writings on 19th and 20th century Europe, with a special focus on Germany. His magnum opus, the three-volume The Third Reich Trilogy, is a seminal work that has contributed significantly to the understanding of Nazi Germany and its implications.
Born on September 29, 1947, in Woodford, Essex, to Ieuan Trefor Evans and Evelyn Jones Evans, both of Welsh descent, Evans was educated at Forest School and later at Jesus College, Oxford, where he earned his MA. He further pursued his academic interests at St Antony's College, Oxford, where he obtained his DPhil.
Evans' frequent visits to Wales during his childhood instilled in him a sense of "otherness" and a deep appreciation for history. He has credited these experiences with inspiring him to study modern German history, drawing parallels between the Vietnam War and German imperialism.
Evans' academic reputation was established with his publications on the German Empire. His research in Germany for his dissertation on the feminist movement in Germany in the first half of the 20th century, later published as The Feminist Movement in Germany, 1894-1933 in 1976, marked the beginning of his exploration of German history.
He followed this study with The Feminists in 1977, which traced the history of the feminist movement in North America, Australasia, and Europe from 1840 to 1920. Both books highlighted the theme of the weakness of German middle-class culture and its susceptibility to nationalism.
Evans' distinguished academic career includes being the Regius Professor of History at the University of Cambridge from 2008 to 2014 and the President of Cambridge's Wolfson College from 2010 to 2017. He has been the Provost of Gresham College in London since 2014.
In recognition of his services to scholarship, Evans was appointed Knight Bachelor in the 2012 Birthday Honours.
The Third Reich Trilogy (2003-2008), comprising The Coming of the Third Reich, The Third Reich in Power, and The Third Reich at War, is Evans' most iconic work, providing a comprehensive and authoritative account of Nazi Germany.
Other notable works include In Defence of History (1997), Telling Lies About Hitler (2002), and Altered Pasts: Counterfactuals in History (2013).
Evans' work has had a profound impact on the understanding of modern German history, and his writings have been widely acclaimed for their meticulous research and accessibility. His contributions have inspired a new generation of historians and scholars, cementing his legacy as one of the most prominent historians of our time.
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