Frank Snowden
Dr. Frank Snowden is the Andrew Downey Orrick Professor Emeritus of History and History of Medicine at Yale University and one of the world’s leading scholars on the history of infectious disease and public health. His teaching spans Italian history, the history of epidemics, public health systems, and the intellectual history of medicine, making him a pivotal voice in understanding how societies respond to health crises. Snowden’s research focuses on the comparative history of epidemic diseases, the evolution of public health, and the societal impact of emerging and reemerging infections. His work also explores medical ethics, bioterrorism, and the broader relationship between disease and political, social, and economic structures. He is the author of several influential books, most notably Epidemics and Society: From the Black Death to the Present, a widely cited study that traces how major outbreaks have shaped global history. As a renowned historian of global health, Snowden received extensive media attention during the COVID-19 pandemic, offering expert commentary on the historical patterns and policy lessons of modern pandemics.
Frank Snowden Professional Experience / Academic History
Professional Experience
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Andrew Downey Orrick Professor Emeritus of History & History of Medicine
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Professor
Academic History
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Doctor of Philosophy
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Bachelor of Philosophy
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Bachelor of Arts
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Dr. Frank Snowden’s scholarship centers on the history of epidemic diseases, public health, and the ways infectious illnesses shape—and are shaped by—politics, culture, and social power structures.
His research examines the comparative history of epidemics, the origins and management of major diseases, and the varied responses societies develop to address emerging and resurgent illnesses.
Snowden’s expertise bridges the history of medicine, infectious disease, and European social and political history, with a particular focus on modern Italy.
He frequently highlights the importance of pandemic preparedness, sustained investment in public health infrastructure, and international cooperation to confront global health threats.
Across his public lectures and media appearances, Snowden emphasizes how pandemics expose underlying vulnerabilities in social, economic, and political systems, revealing deep structural inequalities.
KEY PUBLICATIONS
Epidemics and Society (2019) – A landmark study tracing major epidemics from the Black Death to the present and analyzing their profound social, political, and cultural consequences.
The Conquest of Malaria – An award-winning history of Italy’s long battle against malaria, honored with the Gustav Ranis Prize from Yale’s MacMillan Center for its scholarly contribution.
Naples in the Times of Cholera – A detailed social history of cholera outbreaks in Italy, exploring how public health and political forces shaped the response.
Violence and Great Estates in the South of Italy and The Fascist Revolution in Tuscany, 1919–1922 – Influential works on Italian social and political history, offering insight into regional power dynamics and the rise of fascism.