Professor Doyle Visit

We welcomed back one of the world’s leading historians of the French Revolution, Professor William Doyle, who gave a brilliant lecture to over 60 students.

He explained how the French Revolution was the first revolution in modern history to transform society. He said it was not an event, but a process that spanned over a decade and was full of unforeseen developments. It was also the first moment in history when a state abolished religion and slavery.

He then honed in on the primary cause of the Revolution: the collapse of the Ancien Régime, which could not unlock the resources needed to fund diplomatic dominance. He downplayed the role of the Enlightenment, stating: 'The Revolution was not caused by revolutionaries, but it created revolutionaries.'Overall, this was a fabulous overview for all our Sixth Form students.

May 2026