Introduction

Charles Webster studied at University College London, where he took a degree in Botany and Microbiology. From 1959 to 1965 he was a science teacher at the City Grammar School, Leopold Street, Sheffield. Simultaneously he began private historical studies. His first historical paper was published in the journal Nature in 1962. He obtained an M.Sc. and D.Sc. at London University. After a short spell in the Philosophy Department at Leeds University, in 1968 he became a research fellow at Corpus Christi College, Oxford. In 1972, he was made a University Reader, also attached to Corpus. He remained in this post until 1988, when he became a Senior Research Fellow of All Souls College, a post which he retained until his retirement. Currently he is an Emeritus Fellow at both Corpus and All Souls. In connection with his early work, especially 'The Great Instauration', in 1980 he was elected an FBA.