Barbara Emerson (PPE, 1958), a distinguished historian and biographer, is renowned for her in-depth explorations of European and African history. An alumna of St Hilda’s College, Oxford, she returned as a Visiting Fellow to contribute to the academic community that shaped her. Emerson’s work includes critically acclaimed biographies, such as her definitive examination of King Leopold II of Belgium, where she scrutinised his controversial role in the colonisation and exploitation of the Congo.
In addition to her historical writing, Emerson serves as Vice-Chair of the Great Britain–Russia Society, bringing her expertise in international relations to this key role. Her time living in Moscow has further enriched her understanding of Russian history and politics, which prominently informs her recent book, The First Cold War: Anglo-Russian Relations in the 19th Century (Hurst, £35). This compelling work was recently highlighted as one of the year’s best by Jonathan Sumption (Lord Sumption), who praised it as “an outstanding account of Britain’s relations with Russia at a time when ambassadors mattered and Britain was the only world power. No one has explained the Great Game in Central Asia or the intricacies of European dynastic politics so well.”
With her blend of scholarly rigour and an insider’s view of both European and Russian spheres, Emerson continues to make significant contributions to our understanding of historical power dynamics and diplomatic history.