The Economic History Review
Eileen Power established The Economic History Review in 1927. She sought to create a dedicated space for economic history scholarship at a time when the field lacked its own journal. E. Lipson and R. H. Tawney served as the first editors alongside her. These three figures shaped the early direction of the publication during its formative years. Their combined expertise helped define what economic history meant for British academia in the interwar period.
The journal has seen a succession of distinguished scholars lead its editorial board over nearly a century. M. M. Postan guided the publication through the mid-twentieth century with a focus on quantitative methods. Max Hartwell led from 1960 until 1968, steering the journal into new methodological territories. Christopher Dyer and Nicholas Crafts later took the helm, bringing fresh perspectives on social and institutional history. Current leadership includes Sara Horrell, Jaime Reis, and Patrick Wallis, who manage operations today. John Turner, Giovanni Federico, and Tirthankar Roy serve as lead editors overseeing daily content decisions.
Wiley-Blackwell publishes The Economic History Review quarterly on behalf of the Economic History Society. Each year produces four issues that collectively build toward one volume. The journal now contains 75 volumes since its inception. An editorial board of 21 members supports the lead editors in reviewing submissions. Jane Humphries and Debin Ma from the University of Oxford sit alongside Sara Horrell, Max-Stephan Schulze, and Patrick Wallis from the London School of Economics. This structure ensures rigorous peer review across diverse historical specializations.
Scholars regard this journal as one of the premier publications in economic history globally. It stands alongside the Journal of Economic History and the European Review of Economic History as a top-tier venue. RePEc ranked it 383rd out of 2982 economics journals in recent assessments. Its 2021 impact factor reached 2.487, reflecting strong citation rates among peers. These metrics demonstrate consistent influence within both economic history and broader economic disciplines.
Ronald Robinson and John Gallagher published The Imperialism of Free Trade in the August 1953 edition. That article fundamentally reshaped how historians understood the relationship between trade policy and imperial expansion. The piece remains a touchstone for debates on global economic integration during the nineteenth century. Other significant contributions have come from scholars like Steve Hindle and Phillipp Schofield who explore social dimensions of economic change. These works collectively define the intellectual legacy of the publication over decades.
Continue Browsing
Common questions
Who established The Economic History Review in 1927?
Eileen Power established The Economic History Review in 1927. She sought to create a dedicated space for economic history scholarship at a time when the field lacked its own journal.
When did Max Hartwell lead The Economic History Review from 1960 until 1968?
Max Hartwell led The Economic History Review from 1960 until 1968, steering the journal into new methodological territories. He guided the publication through this specific period of expansion.
How many volumes does The Economic History Review contain since its inception?
The Economic History Review now contains 75 volumes since its inception. Each year produces four issues that collectively build toward one volume.
What was the impact factor of The Economic History Review in 2021?
The Economic History Review achieved an impact factor of 2.487 in 2021. This metric reflects strong citation rates among peers and demonstrates consistent influence within both economic history and broader economic disciplines.
Which article published in The Economic History Review reshaped understanding of trade policy and imperial expansion?
Ronald Robinson and John Gallagher published The Imperialism of Free Trade in the August 1953 edition. That article fundamentally reshaped how historians understood the relationship between trade policy and imperial expansion.