Acknowledgements
The most essential and measurable debt for this work is owed to The Leverhulme Trust, who in 2015 granted me an Early Career Fellowship so that I might pursue the research project on which it is based. The space and means to research provided by this Fellowship is of immense value to any early career scholar and so it was for me; I am immensely grateful to the Trust. I would also like to thank the team at Brill, especially Ivo Romein, and Han van Ruler, the Series Editor for Brill’s Studies in Intellectual History, together with the two anonymous reviewers for offering their time and insights.
The Leverhulme Fellowship brought me to the School of History, Classics and Archaeology at Newcastle University, where I have been incredibly fortunate (particularly within the current contours of academia) to develop my career. My research was supported and facilitated through collegial endeavours such as the Civil Religion reading group, the Ideas and Beliefs research strand, and a highly valued camaraderie amongst my early modern colleagues. Particular thanks go to Simon Mills, Meghan Kobza, Adam Morton, Gaby Mahlberg, Annie Tindley, Jaap Wisse, Rachel Hammersley, and Federico Santangelo. Beyond Newcastle I have valued the kindness and support of colleagues such as Gesine Manuwald, Alex Barber, Mark Goldie, Michael Hunter, John Marshall, Anthony Grafton, Delphine Doucet, Richard Whatmore, Ashley Walsh, and Tim Stuart-Buttle. Others have been kind enough to facilitate the presentation or publication of work connected to this monograph, including Richard Evans, the History of European Ideas, the Intellectual History Review, the Huntington Library Quarterly, Claudia Beltrão da Rosa, Federico Santangelo, Michael Vazquez, and Floris Verhaart. I would also like to acknowledge again the lasting influence of Justin Champion, whose sad loss in 2020 continues to be felt by me personally and across the field.
Two particular colleagues have had an incalculable influence on not only this project but me personally: Rachel Hammersley and Federico Santangelo. I first met them as my mentors for the Leverhulme Fellowship in 2015; since then they have become immensely valued colleagues, research partners, and most importantly friends. It is not an exaggeration to say this monograph would not have been completed without Federico kindly volunteering his time in the later stages of its completion. His willingness at all stages to read material, discuss ideas, offer advice and a highly valued friendship has been an essential feature of the last decade and hopefully several more to come. Rachel has been similarly incredibly generous with her time and ideas across the last ten years. As valuable is the extent to which Rachel has become a partner in future research projects, providing not just a sounding board but someone with whom ideas strengthen and clarify in the sharing (not to mention a friend willing to brave the North Sea with me). I have also observed and been inspired by Rachel’s leadership and mentorship of the next generation of (particularly female) researchers. It is a great gift to be able to work with her.
Finally, my thanks to my family. My father, who passed away in 2021, may not see this book but his contribution to my ability to pursue this research and his support was essential to its completion. My sister, whose friendship and company is a continuous source of welcome laughter and silliness. My mother, who has consistently provided much needed support, care, trips to Scotland, Friday meals, and guidance.