Luke Yarbrough

Luke Yarbrough is an Assistant Professor of History at Saint Louis University, specializing in pre-modern Islamic societies. His research focuses on Muslim-non-Muslim relations, legal frameworks, and administrative practices in historical contexts. He earned his Ph.D. (2012) and A.B. (2004) in Near Eastern Studies and History from Princeton University, with additional studies at the American University in Cairo. A former postdoctoral fellow at the University of Pennsylvania and New York University Abu Dhabi, Yarbrough has authored critical editions of Arabic texts and multiple articles on medieval Islamic legal and political history.

His research explores themes such as the Pact of ʿUmar, Fatimid policies, and the role of non-Muslim officials in Islamic states. He has been recognized with awards for teaching and mentorship, including the Helen I. Mandeville Award (2018). Yarbrough’s upcoming monograph, Friends of the Emir, Enemies of God, examines discourses on non-Muslim officials in pre-modern Islamic thought. His work bridges legal, religious, and political history, offering insights into interfaith dynamics and scholarly-state interactions.