Keith Thomas (historian) facts for kids

Sir Keith Vivian Thomas, born on January 2, 1933, is a famous historian from Wales. He taught at Oxford University and is known for his books about the early modern world. This period in history is roughly from the late 1400s to the late 1700s. He wrote important books like Religion and the Decline of Magic and Man and the Natural World. From 1986 to 2000, he was the president of Corpus Christi College, Oxford, which is one of the colleges at Oxford University.

Early Life and Education

Keith Thomas was born in a place called Wick, in Glamorgan, Wales. He went to Barry County Grammar School, which was a state school in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan.

He was very good at his studies and won a special scholarship called the Brackenbury Scholarship. This allowed him to study modern history at Balliol College, Oxford. In 1955, he earned his first degree, a Bachelor of Arts (BA), with top honors from the University of Oxford. Later, his BA degree was changed to a Master of Arts (MA), which is a tradition at Oxford.

Academic Career and Contributions

After finishing his studies, Sir Keith became a fellow at All Souls College, Oxford, in 1955. A fellow is like a senior researcher or teacher at a university college. In 1957, he moved to St John's College, Oxford, where he also became a fellow.

He taught modern history at the University of Oxford for many years. From 1978 to 1985, he was a "reader," which is a senior teaching position. In 1986, he became a full professor of modern history. In the same year, he was chosen to be the president of Corpus Christi College, Oxford. He led the college until he retired in 2000, when he was 67 years old.

Even after retiring, he continued his work. In 2001, he was again elected as a fellow at All Souls College, Oxford. He also served as a pro-vice-chancellor for the University of Oxford, helping to manage the university. He was involved with the Oxford University Press, which publishes many books. He also helped edit the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, which contains biographies of important people from British history.

Sir Keith was also part of several important committees and groups.

• From 1985 to 1990, he was a member of the Economic and Social Research Council. This group helps decide what research gets funded in social sciences.
• From 1990 to 1993, he was on the Reviewing Committee on Exports of Works of Art. This committee helps decide if important artworks can be sold and taken out of the country.
• Since 1992, he has been part of the Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts. This group looks after important old documents.
• From 1991 to 1998, he was a trustee of the National Gallery, a famous art museum in London.
• Since 1997, he has been the chairman of the British Library Advisory Committee for Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. This committee advises the British Library on its collections related to these subjects.

Personal Life

Sir Keith Thomas is married to Valerie, Lady Thomas. She also studied at Oxford, at Somerville College, Oxford. They have two children together.

He supports Humanists UK, an organization that promotes secular humanism. This is a way of looking at life that focuses on human values and reason, without relying on religious beliefs.

In May 2016, Sir Keith Thomas was one of 300 well-known historians who signed a letter to The Guardian newspaper. They wrote to voters before a big decision about whether the United Kingdom should leave the European Union. They believed that leaving would make Britain less important in the world.

Awards and Recognition

Sir Keith Thomas has received many honors for his work as a historian.

• In 1970, he became a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. He was also a Vice-President of this society from 1980 to 1984.
• In 1979, he became a Fellow of the British Academy. He was even the President of the British Academy from 1993 to 1997.
• In 1983, he was made an Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
• In 1993, he was elected to the Academia Europaea, which is a European academy of scholars.
• He is also a founding member of the Learned Society of Wales.

He has been given special "Honorary Fellow" titles by several colleges at Oxford, including Balliol (1984), St John's (1986), and Corpus Christi Colleges. He is also an Honorary Fellow of Cardiff University (1995).

Many universities have given him honorary doctorates, which are special degrees given to people who have achieved great things. These include:

• University of Kent (1983)
• University of Wales (1987)
• Williams College (1988)
• University of Sheffield (1992)
• University of Cambridge (1995)
• University of Hull (1995)
• University of Leicester (1996)
• University of Sussex (1996)
• Oglethorpe University (1996)
• University of Warwick (1998)

In 1988, he was appointed a Knight Bachelor by the Queen, which means he can use the title "Sir." In 1991, he received an honor from Italy called the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.

In the 2020 New Year Honours, he was given the Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH) award. This is a very special honor given for great service to the country, in his case, for his contributions to the study of history.

You can find portraits of Sir Keith Thomas at Corpus Christi College, Oxford, the British Academy, and the National Portrait Gallery in London.

See also

In Spanish: Keith Thomas (historiador) para niños