Distinguished historian to present Curti lectures

The 26th annual Merle Curti Lectures will be presented by distinguished intellectual historian Francis Oakley Oct. 16, 17 and 18.

The overall theme for Oakley’s free public lectures is “Natural Law, Laws of Nature, Natural Rights: Continuity and Discontinuity in the History of Ideas.” The specific lectures are:

— Tuesday, Oct. 16, “Natural Law: Traditions of Discourse, Traditions of Thought,” 4 p.m., Lowell Hall. A reception will follow

— Wednesday, Oct. 17, “Laws of Nature: The Scientific Concept,” 4 p.m., Lowell Hall.

— Thursday, Oct. 18, “Natural Law, Natural Rights: Moments of Transition,” 4 p.m. Pyle Center auditorium.

The UW–Madison History Department sponsors the events. Oakley is the Edward Dorr Griffin Professor of the History of Ideas at Williams College. His work spans the medieval and early modern periods with emphasis in political thought and ideology. He received his undergraduate degree at Oxford and a doctorate from Yale. He has been at Williams College since 1961, and served as dean (1977-84) and president (1985-94).

Oakley is the author of eight books, three of which were written while serving as dean and president of Williams, the most recent of which is “Community of Learning: the American College and the Liberal Arts Tradition” (Oxford, 1992).