The History Department at UMass Lowell provides a broad introduction to civilizations of the past and present, including those of antiquity, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Read more...
On Tuesday, April 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the History Department was among those sponsoring a one-day conference at UMass Lowell: "Thomas Hobbes and his 'Leviathan.'" This interdisciplinary workshop explored the English philosopher and political scientist Thomas Hobbes and his masterpiece, "Leviathan" (1651).
The UMass Lowell Library showcased its rare first edition of this text, which includes marginal notes and glosses from prior owners. Together with John Locke and later French philosophers like Voltaire and Montesquieu, Hobbes offered critical ideas about state power, the social contract and democracy—topics that continue to resonate in 2026.
The conference featured brief contributions from UMass Lowell faculty and students across a range of departments, including Art History, English, History, Philosophy and Political Science.
The conference took place at University Crossing, Room 260 (Moloney Hall).
Image by The British Museum. The frontispiece engraving to Thomas Hobbes's book Leviathan, designed by Abraham Bosse.
Thomas Baldwin is pursuing a history degree while planning a career in law.
Nicholas Trunfio immersed himself in history while studying abroad.
Sarah Elizabeth McDermott is grateful for scholarships that are helping her to graduate debt-free, because in the future she won’t have to say “No” to any opportunities.
