Niall Ferguson
Sir Niall Ferguson is the Milbank Family Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University and a Senior Faculty Fellow at Harvard University’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. A world-renowned historian, author, filmmaker, and commentator on economics, geopolitics, and global history, Ferguson is recognized for his influential analyses of finance, empire, and the evolution of civilization. The author of sixteen acclaimed books, including The Ascent of Money, Empire, Civilization: The West and the Rest, The Square and the Tower, and Doom: The Politics of Catastrophe, Ferguson explores the forces that have shaped the modern world — from economic crises and political revolutions to technological change and the balance of global power. His award-winning books and television documentaries have profoundly influenced how audiences understand history, markets, and the rise and fall of nations. Before joining the Hoover Institution, Ferguson served as the Laurence A. Tisch Professor of History at Harvard University and previously held teaching positions at Oxford and Cambridge.
Niall Ferguson Professional Experience / Academic History
Professional Experience
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Milbank Family Senior Fellow
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Laurence A. Tisch Professor of History
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William Ziegler Professor of Business Administration
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Herzog Professor of Financial History
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Professor of Political and Financial History
Academic History
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B.A., D.Phil., Modern History
CURRENT AFFILIATIONS
Co-Founder, Ualá
Founder and Managing Director, Greenmantle LLC
Senior Research Fellow, Jesus College, University of Oxford
Trustee, University of Austin
Trustee, Centre for Policy Studies
Board Member, Affiliated Managers Group
HONORS & RECOGNITIONS
2016 Philip Merrill Award
2016 Council on Foreign Relations Arthur Ross Book Award
2015 Boston Public Library Literary Light
2013 Ludwig Erhard Prize for Economic Journalism
2012 Hayek Prize for Lifetime Achievement
2010 Benjamin Franklin Award for Public Service
2009 International Emmy for Best Documentary
MEDIA PRESENCE & PUBLICATIONS
Sir Niall Ferguson is a frequent media commentator and public intellectual, known for bringing historical insight to today’s global economic, political, and social challenges.
He writes regularly for leading publications, including Bloomberg Opinion, The Financial Times, The Economist, and The New York Times, where he examines world affairs through a deeply researched historical lens.
Ferguson is also a prolific public speaker and documentary presenter, often featured on major international networks such as PBS, BBC, and CNN.
His acclaimed six-part television series, The Ascent of Money, based on his best-selling book of the same name, won the International Emmy Award for Best Documentary and established him as one of the most compelling communicators of economic history.
Beyond journalism and television, Ferguson frequently lectures at global conferences, policy institutions, and universities, offering analysis on issues ranging from geopolitical conflict and financial markets to technological disruption and civilizational change.
NOTABLE WORKS
The Ascent of Money (2008) – A groundbreaking exploration of how finance has driven human progress and global transformation. Winner of the International Emmy for its television adaptation.
Empire (2003) – A sweeping history of the British Empire and its role in shaping the modern global economy.
Civilization (2011) – An analysis of how Western civilization rose to global dominance through innovation, competition, and cultural evolution.
The Square and the Tower (2018) – A study of how power has shifted between hierarchical institutions and informal networks throughout history.
Doom (2021) – A timely investigation into how societies understand, respond to, and recover from crises — from pandemics to financial crashes.
Kissinger: 1923–1968 (2015) – The first volume of his definitive biography of Henry Kissinger, blending political insight with historical depth.