Christopher Nugent Lawrence Brooke (23 June 1927 – 27 December 2015) was a British medieval historian. From 1974 to 1994 he was Dixie Professor of Ecclesiastical History at the University of Cambridge.

Early life and education

Born on 23 June 1927, Brooke was the son of Zachary Nugent Brooke (1883–1946) and his wife Rosa Grace Brooke (1888–1964). Following schooling at Winchester College, Brooke undertook his undergraduate work at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, where he studied with David Knowles.

Academic career

Brooke spent his early years as head of department at Westfield College, University of London, before taking up a post at Caius from 1977 to 1994, where he remained a life fellow. He held the position of Dixie Professor of Ecclesiastical History at Cambridge and before becoming a professor emeritus. He was President of the Ecclesiastical History Society (1968–1969).

Later life

Brooke died on 27 December 2015 at the age of 88.

Personal life

It was at Cambridge that Brooke met his future wife, fellow medievalist Rosalind Brooke (née Clark) in 1951. She died in 2014. Christopher N. L. Brooke died on 27 December 2015.

Selected works

Among Brooke's publications are: