James Hanrahan

Dr. James Hanrahan is an Associate Professor in Eighteenth-Century French Studies at Trinity College Dublin, where he also holds a Fellowship. He previously served as Head of the French Department (2019-2022) and currently directs the MPhil in Identities and Cultures of Europe. His research centers on Enlightenment France’s cultural, political, and literary landscapes, with particular focus on Voltaire’s works and the formation of public opinion. Hanrahan has held notable fellowships including the Leverhulme Trust PhD Studentship and the Voltaire Foundation Visiting Fellowship at Oxford.

Education:

• BCL (Law and French), University College Cork (1998-2002)
• PhD in French Studies, University of Edinburgh (2003-2007)

His research expertise includes critical editions of Voltaire’s writings, such as co-editing Précis du siècle de Louis XV and annotating the Essai sur les mœurs. He actively contributes to scholarly associations like the Digital Voltaire Advisory Group and ADEFFI, where he held leadership roles. Hanrahan’s recent work explores the concept of origins in Enlightenment thought and the intersection of law and philosophy in L'Encyclopédie.

Key Projects: Director of Research and Ethics at SLLCS (2024-present), Trustee and Vice-President of Alliance française Dublin Ltd., and member of the Complete Works of Voltaire editorial board. His publications span peer-reviewed journals, edited volumes, and critical editions.