Paul Freedman

Paul Freedman is the Chester D. Tripp Professor of History at Yale University, specializing in medieval European history with a focus on Catalonia, social structures, and culinary history. He holds faculty roles in multiple programs including Medieval Studies and the History of Science and Medicine. Freedman earned his BA from UC Santa Cruz, MLS from UC Berkeley’s School of Library and Information Studies, and a PhD in History from UC Berkeley (1978).

His research explores medieval peasantry, trade in luxury goods, and the intersection of food with cultural identity. Notable works include The Splendor and Opulence of the Past (2023), Bite by Bite (2024), and Why Food Matters (2021). He has received prestigious awards such as the Haskins Medal (2002) and Premio del Rey Prize (1992).

At Yale, Freedman has served in leadership roles including Director of Undergraduate Studies, Chair of the History Department, and Director of Medieval Studies. He has held visiting fellowships at the Max Planck Institute and École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales. His edited volumes include Food: The History of Taste (2007) and Food in Time and Place (2014).

His work bridges academic rigor with public engagement, combining scholarly research with accessible narratives about food’s role in history and culture.