Speaking about his dissertation, Reuben (pictured) said:
“The Grahams of Esk were among the most infamous ‘border surnames’, raiding families – rather like clans – who lifted sheep, cattle, and horses across the Anglo-Scottish border by force. After King James VI/I assumed the throne of England in 1603, the whole border was pacified and the Grahams in particular were transported for military service in the Low Countries before being transplanted to Ireland. Professor Clare Jackson’s supervision was meticulous and brought the best out of my work, so I am delighted to see our efforts recognised by the Faculty of History.”
Michael Hargreaves said, “I was very proud to have all my work last year recognised in receiving the History and Politics Prize from my department. It’s given me a new confidence and passion as I continue at Trinity Hall, further pursuing my research into avarice and the work of Bernard Mandeville.”
Professor Clare Jackson, Trinity Hall Fellow in History, said:
“Warmest congratulations to Reuben and to Michael for their outstanding performances in Part II of the History and History and Politics Triposes. It’s terrific that their hard work and immense talent have been recognised in these ways.
“As the supervisor for Reuben’s prize-winning History dissertation – on the notoriously unruly ‘Grahams of Esk’ family – it was a privilege to oversee the development of ground-breaking and authoritative research.
“And it’s likewise excellent that Michael’s stellar research into the early 18th-century ethical ideas of Bernard Mandeville has now inspired him to return to Trinity Hall as a postgraduate to study for the MPhil in Political Thought and Intellectual History.
“As well as congratulating Reuben and Michael on their deserved accolades, the History and HSPS Fellows are grateful to Dr Nigel Chancellor (1990), whose generous endowment of a fund to support final-year History dissertations is a wonderful College asset, facilitating the intensive primary-source research that remains the essential groundwork for this type of academic success.”
