Robert W. Butler

Robert W. Butler serves as Professor and Chair of the Department of History at Elmhurst University, holding the prestigious Joan and Lester Brune Chair. He earned his Ph.D. from Ohio State University with a dissertation on British economist Alfred Marshall and received the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2012.

His research centers on modern British cultural history, investigating the enduring influence of classical antiquity in British society, the political strategies and legacy of Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin, and the historical evolution of evil as a conceptual framework. These interconnected themes reflect his broader exploration of how intellectual and cultural forces shape historical narratives in 20th-century Britain.

Professor Butler's distinguished honors include:

• President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching (2012)
• Inaugural holder of the Joan and Lester Brune Chair (2013)