Historian David Abulafia, Renowned Mediterranean Scholar, Dies at 76

David Abulafia, the British historian known for his influential studies of Mediterranean history and Emperor Frederick II, died on January 24, 2026, in Cambridge at age 76. A professor emeritus at Cambridge University, Abulafia spent his career at Gonville & Caius College, where he held the Chair of Mediterranean History. His work connected economic and social history through the study of trade networks, cities, and human movement across the Mediterranean. His notable publications include 'The Great Sea' and 'Frederick II: A Medieval Emperor,' which reshaped historical understanding by emphasizing human agency over structural determinism. Abulafia received awards including the British Academy Medal and Wolfson History Prize for his contributions to historical scholarship.