Xavier Prévost

Xavier Prévost is a Professor of History of Law and Institutions at the University of Bordeaux, Faculty of Law and Political Science. He holds a dual agrégation in Law and Economics & Management, is an Archivist-Paleographer (graduate of École des Chartes), and a former student of École normale supérieure de Cachan. As a Junior Member of the University Institute of France (2020 promotion), he leads significant interdisciplinary research projects including the ERC-funded "ISTHisFrench" project on the transnational history of the French method of legal teaching.

His educational background includes a doctorate in law from Panthéon-Sorbonne University (2012) with thesis "Jacques Cujas (1522-1590). Law tested by humanism," and archival training from École nationale des chartes (2015). He has held numerous academic leadership positions including Director of the Montesquieu Research Institute (2016-present), editor-in-chief of the open-access journal Clio@Themis (2020-present), and since March 2024, Coordinator of the Interdisciplinary Strategy at the University of Bordeaux.

• 2003: Entered École normale supérieure de Cachan (top of class in Law, Economics and Management)
• 2006: Associate Professor of Economics and Management (9th place)
• 2012: Doctor of Law, Sorbonne Law School
• 2014: Appointed Professor of Legal History at University of Bordeaux (top of agrégation)
• 2015: Archivist and Paleographer
• 2016: Director of Montesquieu Research Institute
• 2020: Junior Member of University Institute of France
• 2023: Co-facilitator of interdisciplinary working group

Prévost's research focuses on law and legal knowledge during the Renaissance, particularly examining how humanist methods transformed legal thought and contributed to the emergence of modernity. His work bridges legal history with intellectual history, examining the evolution of legal concepts through three dimensions: thought, writing, and application. Current projects investigate Renaissance encyclopedism (mid-15th to mid-17th century) and the transnational circulation of legal knowledge.

His publication record shows consistent scholarly output centered on Jacques Cujas and legal humanism, with recent works examining the construction of legal canons, the virtue of justice in historical perspective, and contemporary relevance of Renaissance jurisprudence. The articles demonstrate interdisciplinary approaches connecting legal history with cultural studies, political thought, and historical methodology.

• Corbay Prize of the Academy of Moral and Political Sciences
• Alfred Duméril Prize of the Toulouse Academy of Sciences
• Robert Dennery Prize of the Chancellery of the Universities of Paris
• Thesis Prize of the Institute of Roman Law of Panthéon-Assas University

As an academic leader, Prévost directs the Montesquieu Research Institute and serves as first vice-president of section 03 (History of Law and Institutions) at the National Council of Universities. He has supervised doctoral candidates including Victor Le Breton-Blon's thesis on bill of exchange practices. His interdisciplinary coordination role reflects his commitment to breaking down disciplinary barriers in legal scholarship, with particular emphasis on connecting legal history with broader humanistic inquiry.