Bryan A. Banks
Historian of early modern Europe and associate professor who researches religion, migration, and the Enlightenment; author of Write to Return: Huguenot Refugees on the Frontiers of the French Enlightenment (McGill-Queen's, 2024).
Best podcasts with Bryan A. Banks
Ranked by the Snipd community
Nov 15, 2025 • 42min
Bryan A. Banks, "Write to Return: Huguenot Refugees on the Frontiers of the French Enlightenment" (McGill-Queen's, 2024)
Bryan A. Banks, an associate professor and historian of early modern Europe, dives into the fascinating world of Huguenot refugees in his insightful discussion. He explores how over 200,000 Huguenots, fleeing France post-Edict of Nantes, influenced Enlightenment debates on citizenship and religious tolerance. Banks examines the work of key figures like Pierre Jurieu and Pierre Bayle, who skillfully combined emotional appeals with calls for reason and rights. Their advocacy not only shaped their identity but also contributed to significant changes in citizenship laws during the French Revolution.
Nov 15, 2025 • 42min
Bryan A. Banks, "Write to Return: Huguenot Refugees on the Frontiers of the French Enlightenment" (McGill-Queen's, 2024)
Join historian Bryan A. Banks as he dives into the compelling journey of Huguenot refugees after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685. Banks unveils how these exiled thinkers shaped Enlightenment debates by using their narratives of victimhood to advocate for citizenship and toleration. He explores influential figures like Pierre Jurieu, who framed the Huguenots as chosen refugees, and Pierre Bayle, a pioneer of religious tolerance. This engaging discussion highlights the unexpected impact of international refugees on concepts of nationality and rights.
