Thirsk, Joan (1922–)
© Institute of Historical Research
A major influence on the development of agrarian history, Thirsk is particularly important for having pioneered the use of local manuscript sources in this area. She is recognised as being one of the leading economic and social historians of the 20th century.
- Forenames:
- Joan
- Surname:
- Thirsk
- Title:
- Dr
- Honours:
- CBE
- Dates:
- 1922–
- Institutions:
- Agrarian History of England and Wales
British Agricultural History Society
Department (latterly Centre) for English Local History, University of Leicester
Past and Present
University of Oxford (St Hilda's College)
- Significant posts:
-
Editor, Agrarian History of England and Wales
Editor, Agricultural History Review
President, British Agricultural History Society - Influences:
- Hoskins, William George
Tawney, Richard Henry - Themes:
- Agrarian history
Economic history
Local history
Social history
- Biographies:
-
Blackwell Dictionary of Historians
Encyclopedia of Historians and Historical Writing
Interviews with Historians
Bibliography
Significant publications
- Joan Thirsk, English Peasant Farming: the Agrarian History of Lincolnshire from Tudor to Recent Times (London, 1957)
- The Agrarian History of England and Wales, gen. ed. Joan Thirsk (Cambridge, 1972–)
- English Rural Society, 1500–1800: Essays in Honour of Joan Thirsk, ed. John Chartres and David Hey(1990)
Other reading
- Anthony Fletcher, '"englandpast.net" : a framework for the social history of England', Historical Research, 75 (2002), 296–315
