James Orr (British academic)

James Orr (born 1947) is a British academic specialising in the history of political thought and intellectual history. He is known for his work on Renaissance humanism, early modern political theory, and the history of freedom.

Orr received his education at the University of Cambridge, where he earned his doctorate. He held positions at various universities, including the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford. He is currently a Fellow of St Catharine's College, Cambridge.

His scholarship focuses on key figures in the history of political thought, such as Niccolò Machiavelli, Thomas More, and John Milton. He has written extensively on their works, exploring their ideas about political power, human nature, and the ideal state. Orr's work often examines the complex interplay between classical traditions, Christian thought, and emerging modern ideas in shaping political thinking during the Renaissance and early modern periods.

Orr's publications include several books and articles exploring the concepts of liberty and freedom in political thought. He contributes to academic journals and edited volumes and has supervised numerous doctoral students who have gone on to academic careers of their own. His research is characterized by meticulous textual analysis and careful attention to the historical context of the thinkers he studies.