Dr. Neil Kenny

Biography

Neil Kenny is a Professor of French at the University of Oxford and a Senior Research Fellow at Souls College. His research focuses primarily on early modern literature, thought, culture, and society, particularly in France from the sixteenth to the mid-seventeenth century. He is currently engaged in projects related to language policy and education, and has a keen interest in the relationship of literature to social order. In addition to teaching at the graduate level, he supervises doctoral students in various areas of French literature, intellectual history, and related fields. He also runs a regular workshop for DPhil students aimed at tackling the challenges of academic writing and research methods. Kenny has authored several books and edited volumes, exploring the intersections of curiosity, literature, and social hierarchy in early modern France. His extensive portfolio includes studies on Béroalde de Verville, Montaigne, and representations of knowledge during the Renaissance. Through his scholarly contributions, he has fostered a nuanced understanding of cultural narratives that shaped early modern French literature and intellectual life.

Research Interests

Experience