Professor Dame Janet Nelson DBE

We were sorry to hear that Professor Dame Janet Nelson DBE, known as Jinty, passed away on 14 October 2024.

 A beloved member of our History Department, Jinty was an immensely important figure inside and outside of King’s, and a powerful advocate for educational equality. 

Finding inspiration at King’s

Jinty joined King’s in 1970 and became a professor in 1993. During this time, she published extensively on early medieval history. A prolific writer and researcher, Jinty was particularly interested in the Frankish kingdoms, focusing primarily on political ritual, family and gender. Her last book, King and Emperor: A New Life of Charlemagne was published by Penguin in 2019.

Jinty also supervised dozens of PhD candidates at King’s. She has been described as ‘a source of support and inspiration’ to many of her students and colleagues.

Making history

In 2001, Jinty made history as the first female president of the Royal Historical Society (RHS), a post she held for four years. Impressed by Jinty’s leadership, the RHS would go on to establish The Jinty Nelson Award for Inspirational Teaching & Supervision in History in 2018.

Other career highlights include serving as President of the Ecclesiastical History Society from 1993-4 and Vice President of the British Academy (2000-1).

Forming intellectual connections

Throughout her life, Jinty was committed to teaching and supporting young people. She was a big believer in the cosmopolitan nature of history and formed several intellectual connections across Europe.

In 2006, Jinty was awarded a well-deserved DBE for her exceptional services to History.  She will be remembered for her passion, dedication, and love of history. Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and colleagues at this time.

Details for this obituary were taken from the King's website. Click here to read the full obituary.