John Watkins is Distinguished McKnight University Professor of English at the University of Minnesota, where he holds affiliate appointments in History, Medieval Studies, and Italian Studies. Watkins is the author of several books and numerous articles dealing with problems of historiography; cultural, political and economic exchanges between England and the Mediterranean and more. His latest book is “After Lavinia: A Literary History of Premodern Marriage Diplomacy.” Watkins lived in England and teaches classes on the monarchy. Oxford feels like home to him.