Lawrence Stone

Lawrence Stone (1919–1999) was an influential British historian of early modern Britain. He is especially known for his work on the social and family history of the period, including the transformation of marriage and the family, and the study of aristocracy. His notable works include 'The Crisis of the Aristocracy, 1558-1641' and 'The Family, Sex and Marriage in England, 1500-1800.' Stone was a professor at Princeton University and his interdisciplinary approach incorporated insights from sociology and anthropology.

Books

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

  1. 1. The Family, Sex and Marriage in England 1500-1800

    This scholarly work provides an in-depth analysis of the transformation of family life, sexual mores, and marital structures in England from the 16th to the 18th century. It examines the shift from the medieval extended family to the closed domesticated nuclear family, exploring how economic, social, legal, and cultural changes influenced personal relationships and societal norms. The book delves into the roles of love, sex, and marriage during this period, revealing how the evolution of these concepts was intertwined with broader historical developments such as the Protestant Reformation, the rise of individualism, and the changing economic landscape. Through meticulous research, the text presents a comprehensive view of how private life was redefined over three centuries, reflecting the complex interplay between tradition and change in early modern England.

    The 2589th Greatest Book of All Time