Michael Howard is rightly considered the most influential British military historian of his generation. His contributions to academia, state policy, and international studies extended far beyond traditional historiography. He actively shaped public and professional discourse both at home and abroad. Read more on london-yes.
Early Years and Career of Military Historian Michael Howard
Michael Howard was born on November 29, 1922, in Brompton, London. His mother was the daughter of Jewish immigrants from Germany, while his father held a senior position at a manufacturing company. He was educated at Wellington College and Christ Church, Oxford, where he developed a keen interest in English language and history. In 1946, he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree, followed by a Master’s two years later.
During the Second World War, Michael Howard served in the British Army. On December 4, 1942, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the Coldstream Guards. He participated in the Italian campaign, including the Salerno landings in September 1943 as a soldier in the 3rd Battalion. The military historian himself later admitted that he survived these events only due to his youth and naivety, which allowed him to act without a full awareness of the danger.
In 1947, Michael Howard began his teaching career at King’s College, where he lectured on European history from 1500 to 1914. During this period, his scholarly work, “The Coldstream Guards 1920-1946,” dedicated to the history of his military unit, became a significant achievement and opened up new perspectives. In 1953, he was appointed to a new position as Lecturer in War Studies at King’s College. This allowed him to focus on subjects that truly interested him.
In 1968, Michael Howard moved to Oxford, taking up an academic position created with the support of the UK Ministry of Defence to develop strategic studies. His work involved expanding the research base in military affairs and training young scholars. From 1977, the researcher held the Chichele Professorship of the History of War at All Souls College – one of Oxford’s most prestigious academic centres. There, he actively involved postgraduate students in the study of military conflicts and international politics.
A new phase in Michael Howard’s academic career began in 1980 when he became Regius Professor of Modern History – a position formally approved by the Prime Minister of the country. Some speculated that he gained this appointment because his views appealed to the then head of government, Margaret Thatcher. However, these assumptions later lost their relevance. In this role, the academic worked on updating the curriculum, striving to reduce its excessive focus on English history and to incorporate broader European and global contexts.
In 1989, Michael Howard accepted an invitation from Yale University, where he became Professor of Naval History. This move allowed him to remain active in teaching for almost another decade. After retiring, he settled in Eastbury, where he spent his time in peace, tending his garden and receiving guests. Despite his age and hearing problems, he maintained a keen interest in current events and remained an insightful conversationalist. Michael Howard passed away on November 30, 2019, in Swindon.
Queen Elizabeth II presenting Michael Howard with the Order of Merit, 2005
Recognition and Significance of Michael Howard’s Research
Michael Howard left a profound mark on both academia and security policy, earning a reputation as the leading British military historian of his generation. His work contributed to the founding of a number of prominent institutions, notably the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London. Among his achievements are also the Centre for War Studies at King’s College London and the postgraduate programme in International Relations at Oxford University. He was awarded such titles and distinctions as Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH), and the Order of Merit (OM). In 2013, the Financial Times called Michael Howard “Britain’s greatest living historian.”
