Michael J. Hughes

Dr. Michael J. Hughes is an Associate Professor of Modern European History at Iona University, specializing in military history, Napoleonic and Revolutionary France, and the intersection of war, culture, and gender. He teaches courses on European history from 1648 to the present and is a faculty member in the Honors program, where he instructs HON 202. His research focuses on military motivation, masculinity, and the French Army during Napoleon’s rule.

Dr. Hughes holds a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois, an MA from Temple University, and a BA from Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey). His work emphasizes the cultural and social dimensions of warfare, particularly in Napoleonic France, as seen in his book Forging Napoleon’s Grande Armée (2012) and numerous peer-reviewed publications. He has presented at international conferences, including the 29th International Congress of Military History in Bucharest (2003).

His research interests include military motivation, the role of gender in military culture, and the use of media (e.g., songs) to shape soldier identity during the Napoleonic Wars. He has contributed book reviews to journals like Journal of Military History and European History Quarterly, further solidifying his expertise in Napoleonic studies and French military history.