Hugh Thomas (historian)

Quick Facts: Who was Hugh Thomas (historian)?

Subject:

Hugh Thomas (historian)

Known for:

English historian, best known for his seminal work on the Spanish Civil War.

Born:

1931-10-21

Died:

2017-05-07

Century / Era:

1931s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Hugh Swynnerton Thomas, Baron Thomas of Swynnerton (21 October 1931 – 7 May 2017), was an English historian, writer, diplomat and political adviser known best for his book The Spanish Civil War. Hugh Swynnerton Thomas was born on 21 October 1931 in Windsor, Berkshire, England, to Hugh Whitelegge Thomas (1887–1960), a colonial commissioner in the Gold Coast and Cambridge cricketer, and his wife, Margery Augusta Angelo (née Swynnerton). Sir Shenton Thomas was his uncle.

Career & Major Achievements

He was educated at Sherborne School in Dorset, before going up to Queens' College, Cambridge, where he was a major scholar and later an Honorary Fellow. Thomas gained a first class in Part I of the History Tripos in 1952, and the following year was president of the Cambridge Union Society. He also studied at the Sorbonne in Paris.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

From 1954 to 1957, Thomas worked in the Foreign Office, partly as secretary of the British Delegation to the sub-committee of the UN Disarmament Commission, and in the British embassy in Paris under his future father-in-law Gladwyn Jebb. He lectured briefly at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst in 1957.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1931 (1931-10-21): Birth of Hugh Thomas (historian) — English historian, best known for his seminal work on the Spanish Civil War.
2. 1952: 1952 Milestone — Thomas gained a first class in Part I of the History Tripos in 1952, and the following year was president of the Cambridge Union Society.
3. 1954: 1954 Milestone — From 1954 to 1957, Thomas worked in the Foreign Office, partly as secretary of the British Delegation to the sub-committee of the UN Disarmament Commission, and in the British embassy in Paris under his future father-in-law Gladwyn Jebb.
4. 1957: 1957 Milestone — He lectured briefly at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst in 1957.
5. 2017 (2017-05-07): Passing & Historical Legacy — Hugh Thomas (historian) passed away on 2017-05-07, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Hugh Thomas (historian)

True or False: “Hugh Swynnerton Thomas's most famous historical work is about the Spanish Civil War, not the Napoleonic Wars.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While he wrote extensively on 20th-century conflicts, his primary, most recognized scholarly contribution remains his detailed analysis of the Spanish Civil War.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• A. P. J. Abdul Kalam — Contemporary (Born in 1931) (1931): Visionary aerospace engineer, scientist, and former President of India.
• Adolfo Pérez Esquivel — Contemporary (Born in 1931) (1931): Argentine activist and Nobel Peace laureate for human rights defense.
• Akseli Gallen-Kallela — Contemporary (Died in 1931) (1931): Leading Finnish painter and pioneer of national romantic art, famed for the Kalevala.
• Abdul Halim of Kedah — Contemporary (Died in 2017) (2017): Sultan of Kedah and Yang di-Pertuan Agong, a pivotal Malaysian royal figure.
• Adam West — Contemporary (Died in 2017) (2017): American actor best known for portraying Batman in the 1960s and extensive voice work.
• Adnan Khashoggi — Contemporary (Died in 2017) (2017): Saudi businessman and arms dealer, known as 'The Great Gatsby of the Middle East'
• 5th Dalai Lama — Shared historical date (10-21 · Born) (1617): Spiritual and political leader of Tibet, unifying the region under the Ganden Phodrang.
• Alfred Nobel — Shared historical date (10-21 · Born) (1833): Pioneering chemist, inventor of dynamite, and founder of the Nobel Prizes.
• Aidy Bryant — Shared historical date (05-07 · Born) (1987): American actress and comedian known for her work on Saturday Night Live.
• Alan Garber — Shared historical date (05-07 · Born) (1955): American physician and health economist, current President of Harvard University.
• 1931 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1931
• October 21 (10-21) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on October 21
• 2017 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 2017
• May 7 (05-07) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on May 7

Frequently Asked Questions about Hugh Thomas (historian)