Leonard V. Smith

Leonard V. Smith is the Frederick B. Artz Professor of History at Oberlin College, affiliated with the College of Arts and Sciences' Department of History. He specializes in modern European history with a focus on war, diplomacy, and imperialism. His research bridges historical analysis with international relations theory, particularly examining state sovereignty, colonial governance, and the interplay between law and racial exclusion.

Smith holds a BA from Oberlin College (1980), a MIA from Columbia University's School of International Affairs (1982), and a PhD from Columbia University (1990). He has held prestigious fellowships including the Fernand Braudel Senior Fellowship (2023), Rockefeller Foundation grants, and a National Endowment for the Humanities fellowship.

His current research explores liberalism, racial exclusion, and legal frameworks in 19th century Texas and French Algeria. Recent publications include French Colonialism from the Ancien Régime to the Present (2023) and articles on post-WWI treaties and international law. He has taught courses such as Modern European History (HIST 102) and supervised senior projects (HIST 500).

Smith has held visiting professorships at institutions including Ohio State University's Mershon Center (2015) and École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (2012). In 2025-26, he will be the Bill and Rita Clements Senior Fellow at Southern Methodist University's Clements Center for Southwest Studies.