Announcement of New PIMS Praeses
The Board of Governors of the Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies is pleased to announce the appointment of the Very Rev. Professor Augustine Thompson, O.P. as Praeses, with effect 1 February 2022.
Father Thompson has had a distinguished academic career holding senior teaching positions at the University of Oregon, and the University of Virginia (Charlottesville), as well as the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology in Berkeley, California. A well-published Medieval historian, his many books and articles include most notably: Francis of Assisi: A New Biography, Cornell University Press; Cities of God: The Religion of the Italian Communes 1125–1325, Pennsylvania State University Press. His latest book is Dominican Brothers: Conversi, Lay and Cooperator Friars, New Priory Press.
Father Thompson assumes the role of Praeses from Richard Alway, our exceptional leader for more than 13 years, who leaves on retirement with our heartfelt thanks and best wishes. A celebration in his honour will be held at a later date.
Founded in 1929, the Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies is Canada’s oldest research institute in the Humanities. It specializes in advanced scholarship of the intellectual and material cultures of the Middle Ages and offers a Licence in Mediaeval Studies to students possessing a Doctorate. The Institute library is recognized as one of North America’s finest and most comprehensive in its areas of concentration and an active publishing division attracts submissions from scholars around the world and publishes the annual journal Mediaeval Studies. The Institute (PIMS) is affiliated with the University of St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto.
Tony Comper
Presiding Chair, PIMS Board of Governors
Chair of the Search Committee