John K. Thornton

Among contemporary historians of Africa, Thornton has led the field in synthesizing the continent's complex political, social, and cultural developments over the past millennium, from his groundbreaking The Kingdom of Kongo: Civil War and Transition, 1641-1719 (1983), to Africa and Africans in the Making of the Atlantic World (1992), and, most recently, A Cultural History of the Atlantic World, 1250-1820 (2012). With his grasp of West Central Africa's geography and languages, including Portuguese and several African tongues, he has transformed the understanding of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, while drawing authoritative maps for, and elevating the importance of, primary documents to study in the field. A gifted teacher, Thornton has broadened interest in African history, and his consultative work on television documentaries has been invaluable to fostering greater public engagement.