Owen Davies

Owen Davies (born 1954) is a prominent British historian and academic whose scholarly work has fundamentally transformed understanding of witchcraft, folk magic, cunning folk, and supernatural beliefs in European history. As Professor of History at the University of Hertfordshire, Davies has authored and edited numerous influential books including Grimoires: A History of Magic Books, Cunning-Folk: Popular Magic in English History, and Magic: A Very Short Introduction. His research challenges traditional narratives that portrayed magical beliefs as aberrations, instead demonstrating how folk magic and cunning practices were deeply embedded in everyday European society, addressing practical needs for healing, agriculture, and protection. Davies' work emphasizes the agency and rationality of magical practitioners, presenting them not as credulous or delusional but as responding to legitimate social needs within their cultural contexts. His comparative approach examines magical practices across different European regions and time periods, revealing both continuities and adaptations. Davies' scholarship has influenced how historians understand the relationship between magic, medicine, and science in pre-modern and early modern societies, demonstrating that magical and empirical approaches coexisted and often complemented each other. His popular writing, including accessible books and media appearances, has brought academic expertise on magic to general audiences. Davies' legacy lies in rehabilitating the study of magic as a serious historical subject and revealing the complex, sophisticated worldviews underlying magical practices.