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Diarmaid MacCulloch

ディアーマイド・マキュロッハ

Diarmaid MacCulloch

Aliases: Diarmaid Ninian John MacCulloch

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1951-10-31 （Kent, England）
Nationality
United Kingdom
Languages
English
Religion
Christianity (Anglican)
Residence History
Kent → Suffolk → Bristol → Oxford

Career

Occupations
Historian, Professor, Deacon
Active Years
1972-2024
Affiliations
St Cross College, Oxford, University of Oxford, University of Bristol, Wesley College, Bristol, Campion Hall, Oxford
Memberships
Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London (FSA), Fellow of the Royal Historical Society (FRHistS), Fellow of the British Academy (FBA)
Influenced By
Geoffrey Elton
Influenced
Ethan H. Shagan, Alec Ryrie

Education

Churchill College, Cambridge
History
Degree: BA
Period: 1969-1972
Year of Graduation: 1972
Country: United Kingdom
Served as organ scholar
University of Liverpool
Archive Administration
Degree: Diploma in Archive Administration
Year of Graduation: 1973
Country: United Kingdom
Churchill College, Cambridge
History
Degree: PhD
Year of Graduation: 1977
Country: United Kingdom
Doctoral advisor: Geoffrey Elton
Ripon College Cuddesdon
Theology
Degree: Oxford Diploma in Theology
Year of Graduation: 1987
Country: United Kingdom
University of Oxford
Degree: DD (Doctor of Divinity)
Year of Graduation: 2001
Country: United Kingdom
Honorary degree

Awards

James Tait Black Memorial Prize
1996
Work: Thomas Cranmer: A Life
Organization: University of Edinburgh
Result: winner
National Book Critics Circle Award
2004
Work: Reformation: Europe's House Divided 1490–1700
Organization: National Book Critics Circle
Result: winner
British Academy Book Prize
2004
Work: Reformation: Europe's House Divided 1490–1700
Organization: British Academy
Result: winner
Wolfson History Prize
2004
Work: Reformation: Europe's House Divided 1490–1700
Organization: Wolfson Foundation
Result: winner
Hessell-Tiltman Prize
2010
Work: A History of Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years
Organization: English PEN
Result: winner
Cundill Prize in History
2010
Work: A History of Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years
Organization: McGill University
Result: winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Thomas Cranmer: A Life

1996 Biography

Detailed biography of Thomas Cranmer, key figure in the English Reformation.

ReformationEnglish Church History

Reformation: Europe's House Divided 1490–1700

2003 History

Comprehensive history of the European Reformation from 1490 to 1700.

ReformationProtestantismCatholicism

A History of Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years

2009 History

Sweeping history of Christianity over three thousand years.

Christian HistoryReligious Development

Silence: A Christian History

2013 History

Explores the role of silence in Christian history.

SilenceFaith

Thomas Cromwell: A Life

2018 Biography

Biography of Thomas Cromwell, enforcer of Henry VIII.

Tudor EnglandReformation

Bibliography

  • Suffolk and the Tudors: Politics and Religion in an English County 1500–1600
  • Groundwork of Christian History
  • The Later Reformation in England
  • Henry VIII: Politics, Policy, and Piety
  • Thomas Cranmer: A Life
  • Tudor Church Militant: Edward VI and the Protestant Reformation
  • Reformation: Europe's House Divided 1490–1700
  • A History of Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years
  • Silence: A Christian History
  • All Things Made New: The Reformation and its Legacy
  • Thomas Cromwell: A Life
  • Tudor Rebellions
  • Lower than the Angels: A History of Sex and Christianity

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Detailed archival narrativeClear and scholarly prose
Recurring Motifs
ReformationSilence in ChristianityHomosexuality and the Church

Legacy

Renowned historian of Christianity and the Reformation, recipient of numerous prestigious awards, Oxford professor, and BBC documentary presenter.

Academic Societies

  • British Academy
  • Royal Historical Society

In Popular Culture

  • Featured in BBC documentaries

Quotes

  • I was brought up in the presence of the Bible, and I remember with affection what it was like to hold a dogmatic position on the statements of Christian belief. I would now describe myself as a candid friend of Christianity.
    Source: Personal statement (2009)
  • I was ordained Deacon. But, being a gay man, it was just impossible to proceed further, within the conditions of the Anglican set-up.
    Source: BBC interview (2009)

Trivia

  • Openly gay historian
  • Declined priesthood ordination over church's homosexuality stance
  • Knighted in 2012 New Year Honours