Epstein , Stephan , 1960-2007 , economic historian

Stephan R. Epstein, 1960-2007, was brought up in Switzerland and graduated cum laude from the University of Siena. He obtained his PhD in History from Cambridge University and continued there as a postdoctoral research fellow until 1992, when he was appointed to a lectureship on Economic History at the London School of Economics. By 1997 he had been promoted to a readership and he became Professor of Economic History in 2001. At the time of his death he was Head of the Department. Epstein's field of expertise was the economic history of medieval and early modern Europe. He established a formidable reputation in this area early in his career, and left an impressive publication record. He is the sole author of Alle origini della fattoria toscana. L'ospedale di Santa Maria della Scala di Siena e le sue terre, c.1250-c.1450 (Salimbeni, Florence, 1986); An island for itself. Economic development and social transformation in late medieval Sicily Past and Present (Publications Series: Cambridge, 1992); and Freedom and Growth, Markets and states in Europe, 1300-1750 (London: Routledge, 2000). He edited four volumes including Town and country in Europe, 1300-1800 (Cambridge, 2001). He is also the author of dozens of articles in journals and books.