Anthony Kenny (1931-2026): the philosopher who rewrote the history of Western philosophy

Sir Anthony Kenny, one of the most productive figures in British philosophy over the past half-century, died on 3 August 2026 at the age of 95.

The Balliol years#

Kenny was a fellow in philosophy at Balliol College, Oxford, from 1964 to 1978, and Master of the same college from 1978 to 1989. He spent his whole academic career at Oxford and served for many years in the university's administration.

What he was known for#

Kenny's range was unusually wide: philosophy, theology, classical thought and the history of ideas. His work on two figures in particular became standard reference points:

• Thomas Aquinas — readings of medieval philosophy through the tools of analytic philosophy
• Ludwig Wittgenstein — expositions of the later thought on language and mind

His writing on the philosophy of mind and the theory of action was also argued over for decades.

The four-volume history#

His most ambitious work was A New History of Western Philosophy. Published in four volumes and later gathered into one, it followed Western philosophy from ancient Greece through the Middle Ages to the early modern and modern periods.

An attempt to tell the history of philosophy in a single author's voice, in a consistent style, is a rare thing today; Kenny's text is still used as a reference by beginners and specialists alike.

What he leaves#

Balliol College's announcement notes that Kenny's "long career spanned philosophy, theology, classics and the history of ideas". His death was reported by leading outlets in the field, including Daily Nous and Leiter Reports.