Brendan Peter Simms: A Prolific Historian and Thinker

Brendan Peter Simms is a renowned historian and thinker who has made significant contributions to the field of international relations. Born in Dublin in 1967, Simms grew up with a strong academic background, being the son of Anngret and David Simms, a professor of mathematics.

Simms' academic journey began at Trinity College Dublin, where he was elected a Scholar in 1986. He later completed his doctoral dissertation on Anglo-Prussian relations, 1804–1806: The Napoleonic Threat, under the supervision of Tim Blanning at Peterhouse, Cambridge in 1993.

Simms' expertise lies in international history since 1945, and he is currently a Professor of the History of European International Relations at the University of Cambridge. He lectures and leads seminars on various topics related to international relations, including the Cold War and European integration.

In addition to his academic work, Simms has also made significant contributions as a public intellectual. He serves as the president of the Henry Jackson Society, an organization that advocates for liberal democracy and liberal interventionism in Western foreign policy. He is also the President of the Project for Democratic Union, a Munich-based student-organised think tank.

Simms' views on European integration have been particularly influential. He has argued that the Eurozone should create a United States of Europe, building on the traditions of the Holy Roman Empire and appointing an elected Emperor. This vision reflects his deep understanding of European history and his commitment to promoting liberal democracy and cooperation among nations.

Despite his strong support for Western values, Simms is also willing to acknowledge the West's share of responsibility for global problems. For instance, he has argued that the West should take some blame for the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Simms' personal life is marked by a complex family history. He was brought up in the Roman Catholic faith and is a grand-nephew of Brian Goold-Verschoyle, a member of the Communist Party of Ireland who became a Soviet spy and died in a Soviet gulag in 1942.

Overall, Brendan Peter Simms is a highly respected historian and thinker who has made significant contributions to our understanding of international relations. His work continues to influence policy debates and academic discussions around the world.

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