Hometown: Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania

Majors: Bachelor of Arts in History and Philosophy

Minors: Leadership Studies and Law & the Liberal Arts

Post-graduation plans: Master of Medieval History, Oxford University

Accolades:

“Caleb Silvergleid is one of the most argumentative people I have met in a long time — and I mean that in the best possible sense! He is thoughtful, engaged, articulate, honest, and funny. Caleb manages to be both irreverent and respectful. These characteristics have served him well as a student of philosophy. He was a delight to have as a student because he always thought about difficult philosophical questions before he came to class and raised the level of class discussion.” – Nancy Schauber, Associate Professor of Philosophy and Philosophy, Politics, Economics and Law

You’ve been described as a Renaissance man. In addition to your many academic interests, what have you been involved with on campus?

Despite all the things I've done, I find that my biggest regret was not doing more. At the beginning of senior year, I was the ultimate "law club" guy. I was president of Phi Alpha Delta (a professional law fraternity), Student Conduct Council chair, and Mock Trial president. I co-founded the Philosophy Club and was Phi Alpha Theta (a national history honors society) vice-president. And, perhaps most interestingly, I was very involved in the local wargaming scene. I played the Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game and ran the Mid-Atlantic League as league admin.

What was the topic of your honors thesis?

I explored the feudal law of the Principality of Achaia, as featured in the Assizes of Romania. I compared the laws in the Assizes of Romania governing the feudal contract and inheritance to contemporary laws in the Kingdom of Lombardy, the county of Clermont, and the Duchy of Normandy (or what remained of it in the Channel Islands). I focused on how women could inherit equally, how there is no explicit law of treason, and how the feudal contract in Achaia was less formalized.

At Oxford, I hope to continue my study of medieval law and what it means for its society, and to develop the skills I will employ later as a law student, lawyer, perhaps a judge, or perhaps legal academic.

What are you looking forward to most at Oxford?

At Oxford, I look forward to continuing my intellectual journey, joining philosophical, debating, and historical societies in order to meet others who wish to share it. Oxford is an incredibly intellectual place, and I hope to get what I can from it and contribute what I can to it - and, perhaps, if I meet the right people, I can continue on doing so after this year!

Before you start graduate school, what do you plan to do this summer?

I'm working a few part-time jobs including at the Writing Center and as a tour guide in historic Philadelphia. I'm also going to compete in the Nations Cup for Middle-earth in Poland and then visit southern France with my family.