Paul Preston

Paul Preston
Museu d'Història de Catalunya (fotògraf: Pep Parer) · CC BY 3.0 · source
Name	Paul Preston
Birth date	1946
Nationality	British
Occupation	Historian, academic
Institution	London School of Economics, University of London

Paul Preston is a renowned British historian and academic, specializing in the history of Spain, particularly the Spanish Civil War and the Francoist regime. His work has been widely acclaimed and has contributed significantly to the understanding of European history, including the Rise of Fascism and the Cold War. Preston's research has been influenced by historians such as Eric Hobsbawm, Hugh Thomas, and Gabriel Jackson. He has also been associated with institutions like the Institute of Contemporary History and the University of Oxford.

● Early Life and Education

Paul Preston was born in 1946 in Liverpool, England, and spent his early years in Birkenhead. He developed an interest in history, particularly Spanish history, during his time at Birkenhead School. Preston pursued his higher education at Oxford University, where he studied under the guidance of historians like Raymond Carr and John Elliott. He later earned his Ph.D. from Oxford University, focusing on the Spanish Civil War and its impact on Spanish society. His academic background has been shaped by the works of Karl Marx, Antonio Gramsci, and Pierre Bourdieu.

● Career

Preston's academic career began at the University of Reading, where he taught modern history and developed his expertise on Spanish politics and European history. He later moved to the London School of Economics, where he became a professor of contemporary Spanish studies and worked alongside scholars like Nicos Poulantzas and Ralph Miliband. Preston has also been a visiting professor at various institutions, including the University of California, Berkeley, Harvard University, and the European University Institute. His research has been influenced by events like the Spanish transition to democracy and the Fall of the Berlin Wall.

● Notable Works

Preston has written extensively on Spanish history, including books like The Coming of the Spanish Civil War, The Triumph of Democracy in Spain, and The Spanish Civil War: Reaction, Revolution, and Revenge. His work has been translated into multiple languages, including Spanish, French, German, and Italian. Preston has also edited several volumes, such as Revolution and War in Spain, 1931-1939 and The Republic Besieged: Civil War in Spain, 1936-1939. His writings have been compared to those of historians like George Orwell, Arthur Koestler, and Isaiah Berlin.

● Awards and Honors

Preston has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to historical research and academic writing. He was awarded the Premio Internacional de Historia by the Spanish Ministry of Culture and the Medalla de Oro de la Comunidad de Madrid. Preston has also been recognized by institutions like the British Academy, the Royal Historical Society, and the Institute of Historical Research. His work has been praised by scholars like J.H. Elliott, John H. Morrow Jr., and Ian Kershaw.

● Personal Life

Preston is married to Gabrielle Ashford Hodges, and they have two children together. He has been involved in various charitable organizations, including the Amnesty International and the Red Cross. Preston has also been a vocal critic of human rights abuses and has supported causes like the anti-apartheid movement and the solidarity movement with Chile. His personal life has been influenced by events like the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 and the Prague Spring. Preston's work continues to be widely read and respected, and he remains a prominent figure in the field of historical studies, alongside scholars like Eric Foner, Doris Kearns Goodwin, and Niall Ferguson. Category:Historians