Quentin Robert Duthie Skinner, best known as Quentin Skinner, was born in Britain on November 26, 1940. As a leading intellectual historian, Skinner has made his mark in the field of political thought history, with his work recognized through numerous accolades including the prestigious Wolfson History Prize in 1979 and the Balzan Prize in 2006. His prominence further solidified between 1996 and 2008 when he held the position of Regius Professor of History at the University of Cambridge. Today, Skinner is renowned as the Emeritus Professor of Humanities and co-director of The Centre for the Study of the History of Political Thought, based at Queen Mary University of London.

Born to Alexander Skinner (died 1979) and Winifred Skinner (nee Duthie – died 1982), Skinner began his formal education at Bedford School. Subsequently, following his elder brother’s footsteps, he won a scholarship to Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, graduating with distinction in history in 1962. Skinner, honored with a fellowship at his alma mater, eventually moved to Christ’s College, Cambridge in 1962, where he remained until his shift to the University of London in 2008. He holds honorary fellowships at both Christ’s College and Gonville and Caius College.

Embarking on an academic teaching career, Skinner was appointed to a lectureship in the Faculty of History at the University of Cambridge in 1965. In 1974, he went on to spend a year as a visiting scholar at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, where he raked in so much acclaim that he was asked to stay. Skinner gladly agreed, remaining there until his return to Cambridge as a professor of Political Science in 1979. Once again proving his prowess, he was promoted to the Regius Professor of History role in 1996.

On the personal front, Skinner married Susan James, a professor at Birkbeck College London in 1979, with whom he shares a daughter and a son. Prior to this, he was previously married to Patricia Law Skinner who later married philosopher Bernard Williams.

Despite a fruitful career in academia, Skinner continually sought out visiting roles. In his career, he has held positions at distinguished institutions worldwide such as the Australian National University, Washington University in St. Louis, Northwestern University, and the University of Chicago, among others. Moreover, he has crossed borders, delivering named lecture series like the Gauss Seminars at Princeton, The Carlyle Lectures at Oxford, and The Messenger Lectures at Cornell, to name a few.

His intellectual achievements earned him a fellowship at the British Academy in 1981. In addition, his talent has recognized internationally, citing him as a foreign member of numerous academies such as the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Academia Europaea, the American Philosophical Society, and more. He was also inducted into the British Political Studies Association with the Sir Isaiah Berlin Prize in 2006 and has been awarded honorary degrees by several esteemed universities worldwide.

Skinner has been an integral part of the ‘Cambridge School’ of the history of political thought. His work focuses on analyzing classical texts as interventions in ongoing political discourse, giving weight to the context, motive, and impact made by the authors. This transformational approach propelled an interest in less conventional political writers and narratives, revealing richer, broader insights into historical debates and arrangements.

Over the years, Skinner has been candid about his academia life, revealing his secret society membership at the Cambridge Apostles in interviews. His legacy continues to thrive through the Balzan-Skinner Lectureship, renamed the “Quentin Skinner Fellowship in Intellectual History since 1500”. In honor of the philosopher, the fellow holds a visiting fellowship for one academic term, which is commemorated with the Quentin Skinner Lecture and a symposium.

In his punditry, Skinner’s research interests have largely centered around early-modern Europe’s political thinking. He has penned several books, notably on Niccolò Machiavelli and Thomas Hobbes. His seminal work, Foundations of Modern Political Thought, barometers the evolution of modern state theories and the debates surrounding political liberty.

Skinner’s monumental influence on the academic world was acknowledged when his book ‘Foundations of Modern Political Thought’ was listed as one of ‘The 100 Most Influential Books since World War II’ by The Times Literary Supplement in 1995. His prominent legacy in academia continues to inspire and shape the study of world history, making him one of the most influential intellectuals of his generation.