Bene Colenbrander

Bene Colenbrander is a Researcher in the Department of History at the European University Institute (EUI) in Florence, Italy, joining the 2024 cohort. He is supervised by Professor Alexia Yates and second-read by Carlotta Sorba, indicating his active engagement in advanced historical research within a prestigious academic environment.

His research centers on intellectual and legal history, particularly focusing on early modern political thought. Key areas include the concept of 'reason of state,' the works of Hugo Grotius, and the development of international legal theory during the 17th century. His work bridges political philosophy, legal doctrine, and historical context, contributing to broader understandings of statecraft and sovereignty in early modern Europe.

Bene's sole known publication to date, 'Reason of state in Hugo Grotius' 'De Iure Praedae'' (2024), reflects a deep engagement with foundational texts in international law. The article explores the interplay between moral philosophy, legal justification, and state interest in Grotius’ early writings, situating them within the political dynamics of the Dutch Republic. This suggests a research trajectory grounded in archival and textual analysis of canonical thinkers in political and legal theory.

Bene Colenbrander has not yet received any listed scientific awards. As a current researcher, he is not known to be advising students or leading grants. He is part of the academic community within the Department of History at EUI, contributing to scholarly discourse in intellectual and legal history.