Jon Parkin

Jon Parkin is an Associate Professor of History at the University of Oxford, serving as a Fellow and Tutor in Modern History at St Hugh’s College. Previously, he held positions as Lecturer and Senior Lecturer in Politics at the University of York (1999–2012), and fellowships at Selwyn College, Cambridge (1995–1998) and King’s College, London (1998–1999). He earned an MA in Modern History from Oxford (1991) and a PhD in Intellectual History from Cambridge (1995).

His research focuses on Early Enlightenment political thought, including European natural law theory, Thomas Hobbes, self-censorship, and the history of political ideas. His notable works include Natural Law and Toleration in the Early Enlightenment (2013) and Taming the Leviathan (2007). Parkin teaches courses such as British History IV and Early Modern Intellectual History, and supervises DPhil students in related fields.

Current DPhil advisees include Jacob Chatterjee (Weston Junior Research Fellow, New College) and James Cullis (Christ Church). His work explores how political theories were received, contested, and adapted during the 17th century, emphasizing intellectual exchanges between religion, politics, and philosophy.