Sir John Baker QC was Downing Professor of the Laws of England (1998-2011), and has been a Fellow of St Catharine’s College since 1971. He was the longest holder of the office of Literary Director of the Selden Society, which publishes materials in English legal history. He has published numerous books and articles on English legal history, most recently English Law under Two Elizabeths (2021). In 2003 he was knighted for services to legal history.