Charles Burnett

Charles Burnett is Professor of the History of Islamic Influences in Europe at the Warburg Institute, University of London. His research examines the transmission of philosophy, science, and medicine from Islamic world to Medieval and Renaissance Europe through Arabic-to-Latin translations created in Spain, Sicily, and Crusader States. Burnett investigates the cultural contexts of translators, the incorporation of Arabic authorities in medieval university curricula, and early European engagement with the Qur'an.

His scholarship spans Arabic and Latin manuscript traditions, focusing on scientific texts covering astronomy, astrology, mathematics, and magic. Burnett directs major projects including 'The Origin and Early Development of Philosophy in Tenth-Century al-Andalus' (PhilAnd) and edits critical editions of influential scientific texts. He teaches courses on cross-cultural knowledge exchange and manuscript studies.

Burnett's research extends to the European reception of Asian thought through Jesuit missionaries, analyzing European perceptions of Eastern Christianity. He maintains editorial responsibilities for several academic series and has supervised doctoral research on diverse topics including Arabic magic texts and medieval scientific illustrations.