Richard Carwardine


Richard John Carwardine is a Welsh historian and academic. He specialises in American politics and religion in the era of the American Civil War.
The professor is best known for his work on President Abraham Lincoln and was President of Corpus Christi College, Oxford, from 2010 to 2016.

Early life

Born in Cardiff, Wales, the son of John Francis Carwardine and Beryl Jones, he attended Maesycwmmer Primary School and Monmouth School, before going up to Corpus Christi College, Oxford, as William Jones Exhibitioner, graduating BA in modern history 1968. He pursued further studies in history at The Queen's College, Oxford, receiving a Doctor of Philosophy in 1975. Carwardine then went to the University of California, Berkeley, as the Ochs-Oakes Senior Scholar in American History and Institutions.
While a student at Oxford, Carwardine played the role of Cornelius in the film Doctor Faustus with Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. In a 2025 interview, he said, "I've continued to act and have just played Cymbeline in the play of that name with the company I helped found in the 1980s, the Abbey Shakespeare Players".

Academic career

Carwardine taught American history at the University of Sheffield, where he also served as dean of the Faculty of Arts. He was a Rhodes Professor of American History & Institutions at Oxford University and a fellow of St Catherine's College from 2002 to 2009. Elected President of Corpus Christi College, he took office in January 2010, becoming a pro vice-chancellor of Oxford University.

Honours, fellowships and prizes