Damian J. Smith

Damian J. Smith is a Professor of History at Saint Louis University's College of Arts and Sciences, specializing in Medieval Europe. His expertise spans the Iberian Peninsula (particularly the Crown of Aragon), Papacy (Eugenius III to Gregory X), heresy/inquisition practices before the mid-14th century, and cross-cultural interactions in the Mediterranean World. He teaches courses on Medieval Survey 1100-1500, The Pontificate of Innocent III, and The Medieval Idea of the University.

• Ph.D. in History, University of Birmingham (1997)
• M.A. in History, University of London (1991)
• B.A. in History, University of London (1990)

Currently writing a history of James I of Aragon (1213-76) and essays on Catalonia-France medieval treaties for the Institut d’Estudis Catalans. As series editor for Church, Faith and Culture in the Medieval West, he promotes interdisciplinary studies of monastic life, Church-State relations, and textual transmission. His research bridges cultural history, law, and ritual across Latin Christendom.

Recent publications analyze papal letters to Iberia, Albigensian Crusade dynamics, and heresy prosecution mechanics. Key themes include papal authority limits, cross-cultural negotiations, and ecclesiastical responses to heterodoxy.

• Carpenter Fellowship (2019)
• National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship (2015-16)
• Fellow of the Royal Historical Society (2005)
• British Academy Research Grant (2004)
• Batista i Roca Fellowship (2001-03)
• Leverhulme Study Abroad Fellowship (1999-2001)

Advises Ph.D. candidates such as Joel Cerimele (Saracen imagery in Joachimite tradition) and Judith Nelams (Cecco d’Ascoli’s astrology). Past students include Erin Abraham (Irish penitential literature) and Emily Henry (royal female emotion in Castile). His grants supported research in Spain, France, and medieval manuscript studies.