David Stokes

Thesis Title: Diplomatic Contacts between Austrian Habsburgs and Safavid Persians in the 16th and 17th Centuries
Supervisor: Prof. Ali Ansari

I have a B.A. in Astronomy from University of Texas, an M.A. in History and Philosophy of Science from Indiana University, and an M. Litt. in Modern History from University of St Andrews. I have also studied Philosophy at University of Montana. A common thread in my varied interests has been the development and transmission of ideas, especially across different cultures.

Throughout the 16th and 17th centuries, Austria and Persia were both repeatedly at war with the Ottoman Turks. Diplomats travelled between the two countries in attempt to forge an alliance against their common enemy. Although the alliance never materialised, contact between the countries exposed both cultures to wider influences. As the 17th century progressed, diplomatic priorities changed from military alliance to trade and religious issues. Their changing relationship illustrates changing priorities of both countries. I chart the course of their diplomatic relationship, examine turning points in this relationship, and examine why the alliance both sides wanted never materialised. By examining Austria's diplomatic initiatives to the east I help to correct the historiographical imbalance in central European history of concentration on only European affairs, and show that their understanding of the east was more nuanced than is often credited.

Conference Papers:

  • "Safavid Persian Ambassadors in Rudolphine Prague 1604-1605", Oriens meets Occidens Conference, St Andrews.
  • "Individual Diplomats' Effect on Community Perceptions: Early-Modern Austrian-Persian Diplomacy" Historical Perspectives Conference, Glasgow.
  • "A 1602 Diplomatic Mission to Safavid Persia from Habsburg Austria", British Institute for Persian Studies, Durham.
  • "A complex systems approach to history: correspondence networks among 17th century astronomers", New England Complex Systems Institute, International Conference on Complex Systems, Boston, Massachusetts.

Awards:
Royal Historical Society - Postgraduate Research Travel Award
British Institute of Persian Studies - Postgraduate Research Award

Teaching:
ID 1003 Great Ideas  - Tutor and Lecture
PY 1105 Ethical Controversies  - Tutor
Formal Logic; Ethics: The Great Traditions (U. Montana) - Teaching Assistant