19 June 2026

Photo: Karsten Helmholz

Rosamond McKitterick during her keynote lecture at the UWA 2023 conference in Hamburg, September 2023.

The Cambridge historian was one of the most influential medievalists of recent decades. She was connected to the CSMC for many years, among other things as a member of the Advisory Board.

Rosamond McKitterick was particularly known for her work on the Carolingian empire. Her research on literacy and the book culture of the early Middle Ages was especially influential: she demonstrated that reading, writing, and written administration were far more widespread in Carolingian times than long assumed, thereby fundamentally transforming our understanding of Charlemagne and his era. She died on 13 June 2026 following a short illness.

An obituary featuring the voices of many academic colleagues has been published on the website of the University of Cambridge, where she spent her entire academic career.

Rosamond McKitterick accompanied and supported the CSMC and its Cluster of Excellence Understanding Written Artefacts over many years. From 2017 to 2024 she belonged to the Advisory Board of the Centre and the Cluster, which provides our researchers with critical advice. She was an important part of the team of external experts who supported us during our application for a further funding phase as an Cluster of Excellence.

In autumn 2023, the CSMC invited scholars from around the world to the largest conference so far on written artefacts from a global perspective. Rosamond McKitterick delivered the keynote lecture on 27 September, titled ‘Continuities and Innovations: Approaches to Text and Paratext in the Medieval Book’.

Our heartfelt condolences go to Rosamond McKitterick's family and close friends; her presence will also be greatly missed in Hamburg.