About
James Q. Whitman is the Ford Foundation Professor of Comparative and Foreign Law at Yale Law School. He holds a B.A. and J.D. from Yale University, an M.A. in European History from Columbia University, and a Ph.D. in Intellectual History from the University of Chicago.
- Education: Yale University (B.A. 1980, J.D. 1988), Columbia University (M.A. 1982), University of Chicago (Ph.D. 1987)
His research focuses on legal history, comparative law, and criminal justice, with notable works exploring the theological roots of criminal trials, privacy frameworks, and transatlantic differences in punishment. He has taught as a visiting professor in France and Italy and has been at Yale since 1994.
Whitman’s publications reflect interdisciplinary approaches, blending law with history and theology. His scholarship has earned multiple accolades, including the Silver Gavel Award and the Guggenheim Fellowship.
- Awards: Silver Gavel Award (2009), Distinguished Book Award (2004), John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship (2010–2011)
He has advised numerous students, though specific names are not listed. His contributions to legal education include courses on comparative law, criminal law, and the history of property law.
