15 Famous Women Historians in History

Women historians have played an integral role in shaping our understanding of the past, challenging traditional narratives, and offering fresh perspectives on history. Despite facing barriers in academia and access to resources, these trailblazing women persisted, making significant contributions to the study of history. At Oxford Summer Courses, we celebrate these pioneers in our History courses, where students delve into major historical events, figures, and movements guided by expert tutors.

Where are Oxford Summer Courses Hosted?

For ages 9-12, our junior summer courses are hosted at renowned boarding schools including Harrow School, Eton College, and St. John's Beaumont. For ages 13-24, our summer courses are hosted in Cambridge and Oxford University colleges. Apply now to secure your spot in one of our prestigious summer courses.

From ancient history to contemporary social movements, these 15 women historians have made groundbreaking contributions to the study of history, offering insights that continue to shape our understanding of the world.

1. Mary Beard (1955– )

Mary Beard is a British historian and classicist known for her work on Ancient Rome and for bringing history to the public through her engaging media appearances. Beard’s scholarship is noted for challenging traditional views on Roman culture, gender, and politics.

Famous works:

• SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome (2015) - A bestselling and accessible history of Ancient Rome, covering over a thousand years of Roman history.
• Women & Power: A Manifesto (2017) - A short yet impactful book that explores the relationship between women and power in the classical world.

Awards and Legacy:

• Mary Beard has received numerous awards, including the Wolfson History Prize and the Princess of Asturias Award for Social Sciences. Her work has popularised classical history, making it accessible to a wider audience and encouraging the re-evaluation of Roman history.

2. Gerda Lerner (1920–2013)

Gerda Lerner was an Austrian-American historian and one of the founding figures of women’s history as an academic discipline. Her work revolutionised the way history is studied by focusing on the contributions and experiences of women throughout history.

Famous works:

• The Creation of Patriarchy (1986) - An influential text that explores the origins and development of patriarchy in historical societies.
• The Majority Finds Its Past: Placing Women in History (1979) - A collection of essays that argues for the inclusion of women’s voices in historical narratives.

Awards and Legacy:

• Lerner received numerous honours, including the Joan Kelly Memorial Prize and the Austrian Cross of Honour for Science and Art. Her pioneering work in women’s history continues to shape the field and has influenced a generation of historians.

3. Doris Kearns Goodwin (1943– )

Doris Kearns Goodwin is an American historian known for her studies on American presidents and political history. Her comprehensive biographies have earned her acclaim for their detailed research and compelling storytelling.

Famous works:

• Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln (2005) - A highly acclaimed biography of Abraham Lincoln, focusing on his leadership and ability to work with political opponents.
• No Ordinary Time: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt: The Home Front in World War II (1994) - A Pulitzer Prize-winning book about the Roosevelts during World War II.

Awards and Legacy:

• Goodwin won the Pulitzer Prize for No Ordinary Time and was awarded the Lincoln Prize for Team of Rivals. She remains one of the most respected presidential historians in the United States, with her books frequently cited in both academic and popular discussions on American political history.

4. Antonia Fraser (1932– )

Antonia Fraser is a British historian and biographer known for her works on British monarchy and noble figures, especially during the Stuart and Tudor periods. Her biographies bring to life historical figures with vivid narrative and scholarly detail.

Famous works:

• Mary Queen of Scots (1969) - A critically acclaimed biography of the Scottish queen, presenting her life and tragic downfall in a new light.
• The Six Wives of Henry VIII (1992) - A detailed exploration of the lives of Henry VIII’s wives and their influence on English history.

Awards and Legacy:

• Fraser has received numerous awards, including the James Tait Black Memorial Prize and the Wolfson History Prize. Her works have shaped how British history is viewed, particularly in relation to monarchy and women in power.

5. Natalie Zemon Davis (1928– )

Natalie Zemon Davis is an American historian who has made significant contributions to social and cultural history, particularly focusing on early modern France. Her innovative use of microhistory has offered fresh perspectives on the lives of ordinary people in historical contexts.

Famous works:

• The Return of Martin Guerre (1983) - A microhistorical study that examines identity and social dynamics in 16th-century France through the famous case of Martin Guerre.
• Women on the Margins: Three Seventeenth-Century Lives (1995) - A comparative study of three women from different social backgrounds, offering insights into the lives of women in early modern Europe.

Awards and Legacy:

• Davis has been awarded the Holberg Prize and the National Humanities Medal for her contributions to historical scholarship. Her innovative work in social history has influenced how historians study culture, gender, and identity in history.

6. Eileen Power (1889–1940)

Eileen Power was a British economic historian whose work focused on medieval Europe, particularly the lives of women in medieval society. She was a key figure in the development of social and economic history as a discipline.

Famous works:

• Medieval People (1924) - A groundbreaking book that offers insights into the lives of ordinary people in the Middle Ages, bringing their stories to light.
• The Wool Trade in English Medieval History (1941) - A detailed economic history of the wool trade, demonstrating its importance to England’s economy in the Middle Ages.

Awards and Legacy:

• Although Power’s career was tragically cut short, her contributions to economic and social history were profound. She was a pioneer in using social history to understand the lives of medieval people, particularly women.

7. Sheila Rowbotham (1943– ) Sheila Rowbotham is a British social historian known for her work on the history of feminism, gender, and labour. Her research explores the intersections of social movements and the lives of working-class women in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Famous works:

• Hidden from History: 300 Years of Women's Oppression and the Fight Against It (1973) - A key text in feminist history, it charts the struggles of women from the 17th century to the present.
• Dreamers of a New Day: Women Who Invented the Twentieth Century (2010) - A book that examines the lives of women who contributed to social change during the early 20th century.

Awards and Legacy:

• Rowbotham’s contributions to feminist history and labour history have earned her widespread recognition. She has received the Isaac Deutscher Memorial Prize, and her work continues to influence feminist historians and social activists.

8. Catherine Hall (1946– )

Catherine Hall is a British historian whose work focuses on the history of empire, race, and gender. Her research has particularly emphasised the impact of British imperialism on identity and society, both in Britain and its colonies.

Famous works:

• Cultural Identities and the Politics of Empire (2000) - A collection of essays that examines the intersection of race, gender, and empire in the 19th century.
• Civilising Subjects: Metropole and Colony in the English Imagination 1830–1867 (2002) - A study of the relationships between Britain and its colonies, exploring how British identity was shaped by imperialism.

Awards and Legacy:

• Hall’s work has been recognised with numerous honours, including election to the British Academy. Her contributions to the study of empire and identity have shaped modern understandings of Britain’s colonial past.

9. Linda Colley (1949– )

Linda Colley is a British historian known for her work on British national identity, empire, and global history. Her interdisciplinary approach blends political, cultural, and social history to explore how identities are formed and reshaped over time.

Famous works:

• Britons: Forging the Nation 1707–1837 (1992) - A seminal work that explores the development of British identity in the wake of union and empire.
• The Gun, the Ship, and the Pen (2021) - A global history that explores how written constitutions transformed power and politics around the world.

Awards and Legacy:

• Colley has received the Wolfson History Prize and the Cundill History Prize. Her innovative work on national identity and empire has earned her a leading place in the field of global history.

10. Margaret MacMillan (1943– )

Margaret MacMillan is a Canadian historian specialising in international history and the history of war. Her accessible writing and insightful analysis of global events have made her one of the most influential historians of modern times.

Famous works:

• Paris 1919: Six Months that Changed the World (2001) - A detailed examination of the Paris Peace Conference and its lasting impact on international relations.
• The War That Ended Peace: The Road to 1914 (2013) - A comprehensive study of the causes of World War I.

Awards and Legacy:

• MacMillan has won numerous awards, including the Samuel Johnson Prize and the Duff Cooper Prize. Her work on international history and diplomacy has shaped how historians and policymakers understand the global impact of war.

11. Barbara Tuchman (1912–1989)

• Barbara Tuchman was an American historian and popular author who wrote extensively on war and international diplomacy. Known for her accessible style, she brought history to a wide audience, winning two Pulitzer Prizes in the process.

Famous works:

• The Guns of August (1962) - A Pulitzer Prize-winning account of the outbreak of World War I, praised for its detailed research and narrative style.
• Stilwell and the American Experience in China (1971) - Another Pulitzer Prize-winning work, focusing on the American military presence in China during World War II.

Awards and Legacy:

• Tuchman’s ability to engage readers with complex historical topics earned her widespread acclaim, including two Pulitzer Prizes. Her work continues to be highly regarded by historians and general readers alike.

12. Jill Lepore (1966– )

Jill Lepore is an American historian whose work spans American political history, law, and the history of ideas. Her writing, which combines historical scholarship with cultural commentary, has made her a leading voice in public history.

Famous works:

• These Truths: A History of the United States (2018) - A sweeping narrative that examines the political, social, and cultural history of the United States.
• The Secret History of Wonder Woman (2014) - A cultural history that explores the origins of the Wonder Woman comic and its connections to feminism.

Awards and Legacy:

• Lepore has won the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award and been a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. Her ability to engage with contemporary issues through historical research has made her a popular and influential public historian.

13. Caroline Elkins (1969– )

Caroline Elkins is an American historian whose research focuses on British colonial history, particularly in Africa. Her work on the British Empire’s actions in Kenya has challenged traditional narratives and exposed the brutality of colonial rule.

Famous works:

• Imperial Reckoning: The Untold Story of Britain’s Gulag in Kenya (2005) - A Pulitzer Prize-winning book that exposes the human rights abuses committed by the British during the Mau Mau Uprising in Kenya.
• Legacy of Violence: A History of the British Empire (2022) - An examination of the systemic violence of British imperial rule.

Awards and Legacy:

• Elkins received the Pulitzer Prize for Imperial Reckoning and has continued to shape the study of empire through her work. Her research has led to ongoing debates about colonial history and its legacies.

14. Hilda Prescott (1896–1972)

Hilda Prescott was a British historian and novelist who is best known for her historical novels and scholarly work on the Tudor period. She brought historical characters and events to life through her meticulous research and storytelling.

Famous works:

• The Man on a Donkey (1952) - A historical novel set during the Pilgrimage of Grace, a rebellion against Henry VIII’s religious reforms.
• Mary Tudor (1940) - A biography of Mary I, exploring her reign and its significance in English history.

Awards and Legacy:

• Prescott’s historical novels earned her critical acclaim, and her work remains influential in both academic and literary circles. Her ability to combine scholarly research with compelling narratives made her a unique voice in historical writing.

15. Bettany Hughes (1967– )

Bettany Hughes is a British historian, author, and broadcaster known for her engaging documentaries and books on ancient and classical history. Hughes’ work spans ancient Greece, Rome, and Byzantium, and she is known for bringing history to a wider audience through television.

Famous works:

• The Hemlock Cup: Socrates, Athens and the Search for the Good Life (2010) - A critically acclaimed biography of the philosopher Socrates and the city of Athens.
• Istanbul: A Tale of Three Cities (2017) - A comprehensive history of the city of Istanbul, from its ancient roots to its modern transformation.

Awards and Legacy:

• Hughes has won several awards for her work in history and broadcasting, including the Norton Medlicott Medal for services to history. Her contributions to public history have inspired a new generation of historians and enthusiasts.

How did the personal experiences and backgrounds of these famous women historians influence their research and writings?

The personal experiences and backgrounds of these women played a significant role in shaping their approach to history. Gerda Lerner’s experience as a Jewish refugee from Nazi Austria influenced her dedication to documenting marginalised voices, while Catherine Hall’s upbringing in post-imperial Britain inspired her focus on empire and race. Many of these women, like Sheila Rowbotham and Natalie Zemon Davis, were motivated by a desire to challenge dominant historical narratives and include the experiences of women and working-class people in the historical record.

What challenges did these women historians face during their careers, and how did they overcome them?

Women historians have often faced barriers to academic advancement and recognition. For example, Gerda Lerner struggled to find positions in academia due to her focus on women’s history, a field that was not widely respected at the time. Eileen Power faced similar challenges as a woman working in economic history, a male-dominated field. Despite these obstacles, these historians persisted, breaking new ground and earning recognition for their contributions to the study of history.

How did the contributions of these women historians impact broader historical movements and the way history is studied today?

These women historians revolutionised the study of history by broadening its scope and challenging traditional narratives. Gerda Lerner’s work helped establish women’s history as a legitimate field of study, while Natalie Zemon Davis’s use of microhistory influenced historians to focus on individual experiences within larger historical contexts. These historians not only contributed to their own fields but also reshaped the way history is taught, encouraging future generations to think critically about the past.

Ready to Join Oxford Summer Courses?

After submitting your application, we'll be in touch very soon to inform you of the outcome. Apply now to begin your journey with Oxford Summer Courses!

‍