Douglas Moggach interviewed by Josh Beer

This season, its 15th, OSFAS is introducing a new type of presentation in which distinguished Ottawans, eminent leaders in their fields but not necessarily known to a wider public, will be interviewed about their lives. We begin on Wednesday, September 16, 2026 with a rare treat. 

Dr. Douglas Moggach is one of the world’s preeminent political philosophers. You should not think, however, that he is just an  ivory tower academic. Witty and charming, he is the perfect dinner companion. His laughter can be infectious. Douglas Moggach’s latest passion is for the great early Renaissance humanist Giovanni Boccaccio (1313-1375). Boccaccio’s racy tales The Decameron are set against the background of the Black Death. Sex has always been a good seller. 

After degrees from Toronto and Princeton, Douglas’s teaching and writing have been accorded many academic accolades by universities from Ottawa to Cambridge and London in the UK, to Pisa in Italy and Sydney, Australia. He can lecture in several modern languages, although he used English in China. Moreover, when he became a lifelong honorary fellow of St Catharine’s College Cambridge, one fellow remarked that his induction speech was the best pronunciation of the classical Latin text he had ever heard.  His latest honour was to be appointed a member of the Royal Society of Canada, 

Born in Hamilton, Ont., of a Sicilian mother and Scottish father, Douglas Moggach’s life is a fascinating tale. He can almost be forgiven for learning to play the bagpipes in retirement.