Dr. William Ewald

Biography

William Ewald is an internationally recognized scholar in comparative law, legal philosophy, and the philosophy of mathematics. He earned his doctorate in mathematical logic from Oxford University after attending Harvard Law School. Ewald has made significant contributions to the field, including his work on Kant’s legal theory and the philosophical foundations of comparative law. His research involves historical studies of legal systems and the integration of legal philosophy within these studies. Ewald's notable work includes the editing of unpublished notebooks of David Hilbert, which has contributed to understanding Hilbert's thoughts and contributions to mathematical logic. His academic career began at Queen’s College, Oxford, where he was a Junior Research Fellow in Philosophy. Ewald has also held prestigious fellowships at institutions such as the Alexander von Humboldt Fellow at the University of Göttingen and the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton. He has received multiple awards for his excellence in teaching, particularly in examining the distinctive character of American law from a comparative perspective. Ewald continues to engage in writing a full intellectual biography of James Wilson, a significant figure in the history of the U.S. Constitution.

Research Interests