E. Ann Matter
Encyclopedia
E. Ann Matter, Ph.D is Associate Dean for Arts & Letters and Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Pennsylvania
. She specializes in Medieval Christianity, including mysticism
, women and religion, sexuality and religion, manuscript and textual studies and sacred music. She has written extensively on the life and work of seventeenth century Italian Catholic nun and mystic, Sister Maria Domitilla Galluzzi
.
, where she received her B.A.
in Religion
(1971), and at Yale University
, where she received her M.A.
(1974), M.Phil
. (1975), and Ph.D.
(1976) in Religious Studies
. In 1976, Matter began to teach at the University of Pennsylvania
, where, in 1996, she was elected R. Jean Brownlee Professor of Religious Studies. In 2005, Matter was appointed William R. Kenan Professor of Religious Studies and in 2006 to the post of Associate Dean for Arts & Letters, with responsibility for all 12 of the University's humanities departments.
In 1992, she received the prized Guggenheim Fellowship
and, in 2003, she was elected Fellow of the Medieval Academy of America
.
in Western Medieval Christianity. Recently, she became the co-editor of both "The New Cambridge History of the Bible," and "Creative Women in Medieval and Early Modern Italy: A Religious and Artistic Renaissance." She is also Christianity
Editor of the "Encyclopedia of Women in World Religions."
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
. She specializes in Medieval Christianity, including mysticism
Mysticism
Mysticism is the knowledge of, and especially the personal experience of, states of consciousness, i.e. levels of being, beyond normal human perception, including experience and even communion with a supreme being.-Classical origins:...
, women and religion, sexuality and religion, manuscript and textual studies and sacred music. She has written extensively on the life and work of seventeenth century Italian Catholic nun and mystic, Sister Maria Domitilla Galluzzi
Maria Domitilla Galluzzi
Maria Domitilla Galluzzi was a Catholic mystic, never canonized. According to E. Ann Matter, her foremost chronicler, Galluzzi entered her convent at Pavia, and after some time, began to experience ecstatic visions of Christ's Passion...
.
Education
Matter was educated at Oberlin CollegeOberlin College
Oberlin College is a private liberal arts college in Oberlin, Ohio, noteworthy for having been the first American institution of higher learning to regularly admit female and black students. Connected to the college is the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, the oldest continuously operating...
, where she received her B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in Religion
Religion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
(1971), and at Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
, where she received her M.A.
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
(1974), M.Phil
Master of Philosophy
The Master of Philosophy is a postgraduate research degree.An M.Phil. is a lesser degree than a Doctor of Philosophy , but in many cases it is considered to be a more senior degree than a taught Master's degree, as it is often a thesis-only degree. In some instances, an M.Phil...
. (1975), and Ph.D.
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
(1976) in Religious Studies
Religious studies
Religious studies is the academic field of multi-disciplinary, secular study of religious beliefs, behaviors, and institutions. It describes, compares, interprets, and explains religion, emphasizing systematic, historically based, and cross-cultural perspectives.While theology attempts to...
. In 1976, Matter began to teach at the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
, where, in 1996, she was elected R. Jean Brownlee Professor of Religious Studies. In 2005, Matter was appointed William R. Kenan Professor of Religious Studies and in 2006 to the post of Associate Dean for Arts & Letters, with responsibility for all 12 of the University's humanities departments.
In 1992, she received the prized Guggenheim Fellowship
Guggenheim Fellowship
Guggenheim Fellowships are American grants that have been awarded annually since 1925 by the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation to those "who have demonstrated exceptional capacity for productive scholarship or exceptional creative ability in the arts." Each year, the foundation makes...
and, in 2003, she was elected Fellow of the Medieval Academy of America
Medieval Academy of America
The Medieval Academy of America is the largest organization in the United States promoting excellence in the field of medieval studies. It was founded in 1925 and is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts...
.
Publications
In 1992, Matter published "The Voice of My Beloved," the history of interpretation of the Song of SongsSong of songs
Song of Songs, also known as the Song of Solomon, is a book of the Hebrew Bible or Old Testament. It may also refer to:In music:* Song of songs , the debut album by David and the Giants* A generic term for medleysPlays...
in Western Medieval Christianity. Recently, she became the co-editor of both "The New Cambridge History of the Bible," and "Creative Women in Medieval and Early Modern Italy: A Religious and Artistic Renaissance." She is also Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
Editor of the "Encyclopedia of Women in World Religions."