Ronald Hutton

Ronald Hutton is an Indian-born English historian specializing in early modern Britain, British folklore, pre-Christian religions, and modern Paganism. He is a professor at the University of Bristol and has authored over a dozen books, frequently appearing on British television and radio.

Hutton's academic career began after studying history at Cambridge and Oxford, where he earned a doctorate. He then took up a position at the University of Bristol in 1981. His early work focused on 17th-century British history, but he later shifted his focus to historical paganism, folklore, and contemporary pagan movements. His book "The Triumph of the Moon: A History of Modern Pagan Witchcraft" is considered a seminal text in Pagan studies, exploring the history of Wicca and its development as a new religious movement.

His research has also delved into the history of Druidry and shamanism, critically examining Western perceptions of these traditions. Hutton has received recognition for his contributions, including fellowships from the Learned Society of Wales and the British Academy. He has also served as a Commissioner of English Heritage.

Born in India in 1953, Ronald Hutton returned to England with his family and developed an early interest in archaeology, participating in excavations and visiting prehistoric tombs. Despite this passion, he pursued history at Pembroke College, Cambridge, and later earned a doctorate from Magdalen College, Oxford, under the supervision of Hugh Trevor-Roper. He began his academic career as a history lecturer at the University of Bristol in 1981, initially focusing on early modern British history.

Hutton's research significantly shifted towards paganism and folklore, beginning with "The Pagan Religions of the Ancient British Isles" (1991). This work examined pre-Christian beliefs and practices, sparking debate within some Pagan communities. He further explored British folklore and ritual in "The Rise and Fall of Merry England" (1994) and "The Stations of the Sun" (1996). His 1999 book, "The Triumph of the Moon: A History of Modern Pagan Witchcraft," is widely regarded as a foundational text in the study of modern Paganism, critically analyzing the history of Wicca and its emergence as a new religious movement.

Following his influential work on witchcraft, Hutton turned his attention to shamanism, producing "Shamans: Siberian Spirituality in the Western Imagination" (2001), which questioned common Western assumptions about the practice. He then explored the history of Druidry in "The Druids" (2007) and the more extensive "Blood and Mistletoe: The History of the Druids in Britain" (2009), examining both historical and contemporary aspects of this tradition. His academic contributions have been recognized with fellowships from prestigious institutions like the British Academy.