The Ferguson Affair

This week, say the name "Niall Ferguson" and everyone starts talking about one thing. (And no, it's not how great he was in "History 1965: International Financial History, 1700 to the Present.")

The Daily Mail, a British newspaper, has claimed that Ferguson, 45, is leaving his wife for another woman.

The article predicts that “the divorce will be one of the most spectacular of the coming year.” Ferguson, a professor of history and of businesses administration, is allegedly leaving his wife for Ayaan Hirsi Ali, a notable feminist and intellectual who is a famous figure in her own right. She wrote the script for the Theo van Gogh film "Submission," and then when van Gogh was murdered, the killer issued her a death threat. She now lives under constant protection.

The Daily Mail piece, filled with scandal and intrigue, makes some serious accusations—including that Ferguson has cheated on his wife Sue Douglas, with whom he has two children, multiple times.

Is the Daily Mail a legitimate source? We're not sure, but The Daily Intel, New York Magazine's blog, seems to think so. Frankly, we'd recommend reading everything with a healthy dollop of skepticism and a critical eye.

Anyway, regardless of what’s true and what’s not, one thing is certain: this is probably a juicier read than what you'd be assigned if you were in Professor Ferguson's class.