Russell Burton

Jeffrey Burton Russell was an American historian and religious studies scholar whose work focused on medieval Europe and the history of Christian ideas. He taught at several universities, including the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he became professor of history emeritus.

He wrote widely for both scholars and general readers, and he is especially remembered for his multi-volume study of the Devil, along with books on hell, witchcraft, and heaven. His writing had a gift for making big, difficult subjects feel readable and human.

Russell died in 2023 at the age of 88. For listeners drawn to thoughtful nonfiction, his books offer a rich blend of history, belief, and the long story of how people have imagined the unseen world.