Richard von Glahn

Richard von Glahn serves as Professor of History at the University of California, Los Angeles, specializing in China's social, economic, and cultural development from the 10th to 18th centuries with emphasis on pre-modern monetary systems and urban dynamics.

His academic credentials include:

• Ph.D. in History from Yale University (1983)
• M.A. in History from University of California, Berkeley (1977)
• B.A. from Connecticut College (1975)

von Glahn's research investigates popular religion, urban social movements, and China's integration into global economic networks between 1000-1800. His interdisciplinary approach bridges economic structures with cultural practices, revealing how local communities navigated imperial transitions through religious institutions and marketplace dynamics. This work fundamentally reshapes understanding of China's role in early globalization.

Analysis of his publications shows sustained focus on the Song-Yuan-Ming transition period, particularly urban transformation in the Yangzi Delta and monetary crises. These studies collectively demonstrate China's sophisticated financial systems and their vulnerability to global silver flows, challenging Eurocentric narratives of economic development.

While specific current advising activities aren't detailed, von Glahn's editorial leadership on major collaborative projects like The Song-Yuan-Ming Transition in Chinese History indicates significant mentorship roles and sustained scholarly influence within East Asian historical studies.