Alex Woolf (born 12 July 1963) is a British
medieval historian
In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the late 5th to the late 15th centuries, similar to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire a ...
and academic. He specialises in the history of
Britain and Ireland and to a lesser extent
Scandinavia
Scandinavia; Sámi languages: /. ( ) is a subregion in Northern Europe, with strong historical, cultural, and linguistic ties between its constituent peoples. In English usage, ''Scandinavia'' most commonly refers to Denmark, Norway, and Swe ...
in the
Early Middle Ages
The Early Middle Ages (or early medieval period), sometimes controversially referred to as the Dark Ages, is typically regarded by historians as lasting from the late 5th or early 6th century to the 10th century. They marked the start of the Mi ...
, with a particular emphasis on interaction and comparison across traditional ethnic boundaries. He is a
senior lecturer
Senior lecturer is an academic rank. In the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Switzerland, and Israel senior lecturer is a faculty position at a university or similar institution. The position is tenured (in systems with this conce ...
at the
University of St Andrews
(Aien aristeuein)
, motto_lang = grc
, mottoeng = Ever to ExcelorEver to be the Best
, established =
, type = Public research university
Ancient university
, endowment ...
.
He is author of volume two in the ''New Edinburgh History of Scotland'', covering the period between 789 and 1070. For this he won the 2008
Saltire Society
The Saltire Society is a membership organisation which aims to promote the understanding of the culture and heritage of Scotland. Founded in 1936, the society was "set up to promote and celebrate the uniqueness of Scottish culture and Scotland’s ...
award for "history book of the year".
He is the younger brother of the ancient historian
Greg Woolf
Gregory Duncan Woolf, (born 3 December 1961) is a British ancient historian, archaeologist, and academic. He specialises in the late Iron Age and the Roman Empire. Since July 2021, he has been Ronald J. Mellor Chair of Ancient History at Unive ...
.
Academic career
In 1995, Woolf was appointed a
lecturer in archaeology at the
University of Wales, Lampeter
University of Wales, Lampeter ( cy, Prifysgol Cymru, Llanbedr Pont Steffan) was a university in Lampeter, Wales. Founded in 1822, and incorporated by royal charter in 1828, it was the oldest degree awarding institution in Wales, with limited ...
.
From 1997 to 2001, he was a lecturer in Celtic and early Scottish history and culture at the
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh ( sco, University o Edinburgh, gd, Oilthigh Dhùn Èideann; abbreviated as ''Edin.'' in post-nominals) is a public research university based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Granted a royal charter by King James VI in 15 ...
.
In 2001, he moved to the
University of St Andrews
(Aien aristeuein)
, motto_lang = grc
, mottoeng = Ever to ExcelorEver to be the Best
, established =
, type = Public research university
Ancient university
, endowment ...
as a lecturer in history:
he was later promoted to
senior lecturer
Senior lecturer is an academic rank. In the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Switzerland, and Israel senior lecturer is a faculty position at a university or similar institution. The position is tenured (in systems with this conce ...
.
Selected works
* "Caedualla Rex Brettonum and the passing of the Old North", ''Northern History'' 41.1, 1-20 (2004)
*
*
* "Dun Nechtain, Fortriu and the Geography of the Picts"; ''Scottish Historical Review'' 2006 ; 85(2): 182-201
* "The expulsion of the Irish from Dyfed"; ''Ireland and Wales in the Middle Ages''; Karen Jankulak, Jonathan Wooding (ed); Four Courts Press 2007; 102-115
*
*
References
External links
Staff Profile at UoStASaltire SocietyAcademia.edu profile
{{DEFAULTSORT:Woolf, Alex
Celtic studies scholars
Academics of the University of St Andrews
British medievalists
English historians
Living people
21st-century British writers
21st-century British historians
Fellows of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
Academics of the University of Wales, Lampeter
Academics of the University of Edinburgh
1963 births