Keeping the Rule. David Knowles and the writing of History

by Simon Johnson

First published 2014

This collection presents memorial lectures delivered at Downside Abbey to honor Dom David Knowles, the renowned monk and Cambridge history professor. The lectures were given in the years after 2009, marking fifty years since Knowles completed his major work on religious orders. As one of the most influential historians of his era, Knowles combined his life as a Downside Abbey monk with his role as Regius Professor of Modern History at Cambridge University. The selected texts gathered here reflect on his scholarly legacy and contributions to historical understanding. These academic presentations explore the intersection of monastic life and rigorous historical scholarship that defined Knowles' career. The book captures how contemporary scholars view his lasting impact on the field of religious history.

Genres: biography, history, non-fiction, academic

Vibes: intimate, thought-provoking

Tropes: academic-focus, historical-figures

Setting: Downside Abbey, Cambridge

Period: 20th-century

274 pages · Hardcover · Downside Abbey Press

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