Michael Roberts (historian)
Encyclopedia
Michael Roberts was an English
historian specializing in the early modern period and particularly known for his studies of Swedish history.
Roberts was born in Lytham St Annes
, Lancashire
and educated at Brighton College
. He taught at Rhodes University College
in Grahamstown
, South Africa
from 1935, served in the army in East Africa
during World War II
and headed the British Council
in Stockholm
1944-1946. From 1954 until his retirement in 1973 he was professor of modern history at the Queen's University of Belfast
. He also held guest professorships in U.S. universities. He was a member of the British Academy
and the Royal Irish Academy
.
Roberts is chiefly known as the originator of the theory of a "Revolution in Military Affairs
" or RMA, which he presented in a paper entitled "The Military Revolution: 1560-1660" first presented in a lecture at the Queen's university of Belfast in 1955. This theory holds that certain changes in military tactics and technology led to a revolutionary new method of waging war that made combat more decisive than it had been previously.
Although originally working in the area of British history, Roberts soon gained an interest in the history of Sweden and learned the Swedish language
prior to 1940. He made his most significant contributions on the period from the late 16th to the early 18th century when Sweden was a major player on the European political and military scene, but published several studies on later periods in both Swedish and British history. Some of his works on Swedish history are used as textbooks in Swedish universities and several have also been translated into Swedish. In addition, he proposed the concept of a 'military revolution' in the early modern Europe - an idea that, with modification, is still used by historians.
Roberts also wrote translations of Birger Sjöberg
and Carl Michael Bellman
, which he published himself. These works are on file at the National Library of Sweden. In 2008 the Birger Sjöberg Society published Frida's New Clothes, a collection of the poet's lyrics in translation. Fourteen of the translations were by Roberts.
Michael Roberts had several Swedish honours bestowed upon him; among other things he received an honorary doctorate from Stockholm University
, and was elected a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Letters, History and Antiquities
.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
historian specializing in the early modern period and particularly known for his studies of Swedish history.
Roberts was born in Lytham St Annes
Lytham St Annes
Lytham St Annes is a conurbation in the Fylde district of Lancashire, England. The neighbouring towns of Lytham and St-Anne's-on-the-Sea have grown together and now form a seaside resort...
, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
and educated at Brighton College
Brighton College
Brighton College is an institution divided between a Senior School known simply as Brighton College, the Prep School and the Pre-Prep School. All of these schools are co-educational independent schools in Brighton, England, sited immediately next to each another. The Senior School caters for...
. He taught at Rhodes University College
Rhodes University
Rhodes University is a public research university located in Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, established in 1904. It is the province’s oldest university, and is one of the four universities in the province...
in Grahamstown
Grahamstown
Grahamstown is a city in the Eastern Cape Province of the Republic of South Africa and is the seat of the Makana municipality. The population of greater Grahamstown, as of 2003, was 124,758. The population of the surrounding areas, including the actual city was 41,799 of which 77.4% were black,...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
from 1935, served in the army in East Africa
East Africa
East Africa or Eastern Africa is the easterly region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. In the UN scheme of geographic regions, 19 territories constitute Eastern Africa:...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and headed the British Council
British Council
The British Council is a United Kingdom-based organisation specialising in international educational and cultural opportunities. It is registered as a charity both in England and Wales, and in Scotland...
in Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
1944-1946. From 1954 until his retirement in 1973 he was professor of modern history at the Queen's University of Belfast
Queen's University of Belfast
Queen's University Belfast is a public research university in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The university's official title, per its charter, is the Queen's University of Belfast. It is often referred to simply as Queen's, or by the abbreviation QUB...
. He also held guest professorships in U.S. universities. He was a member of the British Academy
British Academy
The British Academy is the United Kingdom's national body for the humanities and the social sciences. Its purpose is to inspire, recognise and support excellence in the humanities and social sciences, throughout the UK and internationally, and to champion their role and value.It receives an annual...
and the Royal Irish Academy
Royal Irish Academy
The Royal Irish Academy , based in Dublin, is an all-Ireland, independent, academic body that promotes study and excellence in the sciences, humanities and social sciences. It is one of Ireland's premier learned societies and cultural institutions and currently has around 420 Members, elected in...
.
Roberts is chiefly known as the originator of the theory of a "Revolution in Military Affairs
Military Revolution
The Military Revolution refers to a radical change in military strategy and tactics with resulting major changes in government. The concept was introduced by Michael Roberts in the 1950s as he focused on Sweden 1560–1660 searching for major changes in the European way of war caused by introduction...
" or RMA, which he presented in a paper entitled "The Military Revolution: 1560-1660" first presented in a lecture at the Queen's university of Belfast in 1955. This theory holds that certain changes in military tactics and technology led to a revolutionary new method of waging war that made combat more decisive than it had been previously.
Although originally working in the area of British history, Roberts soon gained an interest in the history of Sweden and learned the Swedish language
Swedish language
Swedish is a North Germanic language, spoken by approximately 10 million people, predominantly in Sweden and parts of Finland, especially along its coast and on the Åland islands. It is largely mutually intelligible with Norwegian and Danish...
prior to 1940. He made his most significant contributions on the period from the late 16th to the early 18th century when Sweden was a major player on the European political and military scene, but published several studies on later periods in both Swedish and British history. Some of his works on Swedish history are used as textbooks in Swedish universities and several have also been translated into Swedish. In addition, he proposed the concept of a 'military revolution' in the early modern Europe - an idea that, with modification, is still used by historians.
Roberts also wrote translations of Birger Sjöberg
Birger Sjöberg
Birger Sjöberg was a modern Swedish poet and songwriter.Originally a journalist, Sjöberg wrote songs in his spare time. His first collection Frida's Book was extremely popular...
and Carl Michael Bellman
Carl Michael Bellman
was a Swedish poet and composer. Bellman is a central figure in the Swedish song tradition and remains a very important influence in Swedish music, as well as in Scandinavian literature in general, to this day....
, which he published himself. These works are on file at the National Library of Sweden. In 2008 the Birger Sjöberg Society published Frida's New Clothes, a collection of the poet's lyrics in translation. Fourteen of the translations were by Roberts.
Michael Roberts had several Swedish honours bestowed upon him; among other things he received an honorary doctorate from Stockholm University
Stockholm University
Stockholm University is a state university in Stockholm, Sweden. It has over 28,000 students at four faculties, making it one of the largest universities in Scandinavia. The institution is also frequently regarded as one of the top 100 universities in the world...
, and was elected a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Letters, History and Antiquities
Royal Swedish Academy of Letters, History and Antiquities
The Royal Swedish Academy of Letters, History and Antiquities also called simply the Royal Academy of Letters, abbreviated KVHAA is the Swedish royal academy for the Humanities.Its many publications include the archaeological and art historical journal Fornvännen, published since 1906.The Academy...
.
Select bibliography
- The Whig Party, 1807-1812 (1939).
- Gustav Adolf the Great (translator) (1940).
- Gustavus Adolphus, A History of Sweden 1611-1632 (two volumes, 1953–1958).
- Sweden as a great power 1611-1697 (1968).
- The early Vasas : a history of Sweden 1523-1611 (1968).
- Gustavus Adolphus and the Rise of Sweden (1973).
- Twelve pieces and an introduction from Fridas bok (translator) (1975).
- Epistles and songs: Carl Michael Bellman (translator) (three volumes, 1977–1981).
- The Swedish imperial experience, 1560-1718 (1979).
- British Diplomacy and Swedish Politics, 1758-1773 (1980).
- The Age of Liberty : Sweden 1719-1772 (1986).
- From Oxenstierna to Charles XII : four studies (1991).
External Links
- The Early Vasas: A History of Sweden, 1523-1611 - Book authored by Michael Roberts (Cambridge University Press, 1968 / Google Books)