Tobias (Toby) Harper is a historian of modern Britain and the British Empire and has published research on the social, political and cultural history of the modern British honours system. He studies how peoples’ curiosity and hope may be swayed by vanity and politics on a local, national and transnational level. Harper is an assistant professor in the School of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies.

He is currently working on a book titled “From Servants of the Empire to Everyday Heroes: The British Honours System and the People in the Twentieth Century,” which explores the ranking and social order of individuals under the British Crown, and their desire to elevate their status.