John Lynch (historian)
Encyclopedia
John Lynch is Emeritus Professor of Latin America
n History at the University of London
. He spent most of his academic career at University College
, and then from 1974 to 1987 as Director of the Institute of Latin American Studies
. The main focus of his work has been Spanish America in the period 1750–1850.
, in northern England. He married Wendy Kathleen Norman in 1960, both are Catholic. They had 5 children.
Lynch studied at the University of Edinburgh
(MA, 1952), and at the University of London (Ph.D., 1955). He served in the British Army
after World War II
from 1945-48. He then taught at the University of Liverpool
(1954-61) and, since 1961 has been teaching at the University of London (now Emeritus Professor of Latin American History). He was the director for the Institute of Latin American Studies at the University of London
from 1974 until his retirement in 1987.
The scope of his work has expanded over the years: from the River Plate
area to Latin America
as a whole; and from the 18th to the 19th centuries.
Latin America
Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
n History at the University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
. He spent most of his academic career at University College
University College London
University College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
, and then from 1974 to 1987 as Director of the Institute of Latin American Studies
Institute of Latin American Studies
The Institute of Latin American Studies was set up in 1965 at the University of London, with the objective of providing postgraduate level teaching and a focus for research on the literature, history, politics and economics of Latin America and the Caribbean.In August 2004 the ILAS merged with the...
. The main focus of his work has been Spanish America in the period 1750–1850.
Life and education
John Lynch was born on January 11, 1927 in Boldon, County DurhamCounty Durham
County Durham is a ceremonial county and unitary district in north east England. The county town is Durham. The largest settlement in the ceremonial county is the town of Darlington...
, in northern England. He married Wendy Kathleen Norman in 1960, both are Catholic. They had 5 children.
Lynch studied at the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
(MA, 1952), and at the University of London (Ph.D., 1955). He served in the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
from 1945-48. He then taught at the University of Liverpool
University of Liverpool
The University of Liverpool is a teaching and research university in the city of Liverpool, England. It is a member of the Russell Group of large research-intensive universities and the N8 Group for research collaboration. Founded in 1881 , it is also one of the six original "red brick" civic...
(1954-61) and, since 1961 has been teaching at the University of London (now Emeritus Professor of Latin American History). He was the director for the Institute of Latin American Studies at the University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
from 1974 until his retirement in 1987.
The scope of his work has expanded over the years: from the River Plate
Río de la Plata
The Río de la Plata —sometimes rendered River Plate in British English and the Commonwealth, and occasionally rendered [La] Plata River in other English-speaking countries—is the river and estuary formed by the confluence of the Uruguay River and the Paraná River on the border between Argentina and...
area to Latin America
Latin America
Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
as a whole; and from the 18th to the 19th centuries.
Quotes
- "The profession of historian has greatly changed in recent years under the influence of social science and statistics. At a time when measurement and conceptualization are paramount, I consider that the historian still has a duty to be readable, not least outside of the profession and that the virtues of pragmatism, intuition, and a sense of style are as important as ever.” (Contemporary Authors, v. 85-88, p. 363. Detroit, 1980)
- "I first became interested in Latin American history out of ignorance and curiosity, eager to discover a new world of sources and events. Since then I have tried to remove a few academic blind spots in Britain by teaching and writing in this field, and also to contribute the view of an outsider to Latin Americans. It is a matter of particular pleasure not only that I have been invited to lecture in their countries but that my books have been translated into Spanish and received a sympathetic reception in the Hispanic world. It is a challenging world, though the challenge for the historian is a limited one. The historian would not claim to resolve the problems of the present, only to reveal the past that lies behind the present.” (Contemporary Authors, v. 85-88, p. 363. Detroit, 1980)
Books
- Spanish Colonial Administration, 1782-1810 (Athlone Press 1958)
- Spanish Colonial Administration 1782-1810: The Intendant System in the Viceroyalty of the Rio De La Plata (New York 1958)
- Spain under the Habsburgs (Oxford 1964)
- Spain under the Habsburgs vol. I and II co-author R. A. Humphreys (Oxford 1969)
- The Origins of Latin American Revolutions 1808-1826 (Norton 1973)
- Argentine Caudillo: Juan Manuel de Rosas (Oxford 1980)
- The Spanish American Revolutions 1808-1826 (New York 1986)
- Bourbon Spain, 1700-1808 (Oxford 1989)
- Caudillos in Spanish America, 1800-1850 (Oxford 1992)
- Spain, 1516-1598: from nation state to world empire (Oxford 1992)
- The Hispanic world in crisis and change, 1598-1700 (Oxford 1992)
- Massacre in the Pampas, 1872: Britain and Argentina in the age of migration (Oklahoma 1998)
- Simon Bolivar: A Life (New Haven 2006)
- San Martin: Argentine Soldier, American Hero (New Haven 2009)