The first critical edition with full English translation of Thomas Hobbes’ Historia Ecclesiastica will be launched at the University of Essex next week.

This edition of the work, which was first published in Latin in 1688, has been co-authored by Dr Patricia Gillies, an Associate Fellow in the University’s Department of Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies.

At the event, on 26 February, Dr Gillies will discuss Hobbes’ relevance to the historical understanding of the English Civil War and present-day discussions on human rights. Professor Tom Sorell, formerly of the Department of Philosophy but now Professor at the University of Birmingham, will also talk about Hobbes as a philosopher.

Dr Gillies explained: ‘The Historia Ecclesiastica is a book of extraordinary cultural significance. Referencing the generic history of the Christian church, it also shows Hobbes’ satiric wit, astute remarks about colonialism and monarchic power, and his outrage at the violation of human rights in the English Civil War. It is a text of great historical and ethical importance, with relevance to current-day human rights issues.’

The book, published by Champion, Paris, will be launched at the Colchester Campus on 26 February. The event starts at 4.30pm and takes place in the Senate Room (4.722). For further information contact Dr Sanja Bahun, telephone: 01206 872634 or e-mail: sbahun@essex.ac.uk.