Richard Charles Cobb (1917–1996) was a prominent British historian and essayist, widely regarded as one of the most influential scholars of the French Revolution in the twentieth century. Educated at Merton College, Oxford, he became a Professor of Modern History at the University of Oxford from 1973 to 1984. Cobb was known for his 'history from below' approach, focusing on the experiences of common people rather than just political elites. His work often combined rigorous historical research with an evocative literary style. He spent significant time in France, which deeply influenced his scholarship and personal interests, leading him to author works that explored both the revolutionary past and the social fabric of contemporary Paris.[1,2,3,4,5]
