Nicholas Terpstra

Nicholas Terpstra is a Professor at the University of Toronto in the Department of History, with cross-appointments in Medieval Studies, Italian Studies, and Study of Religion. His work intersects religion, politics, and charity in Renaissance and Early Modern Italy, focusing on marginalized groups like orphans, widows, and religious refugees.

• Education: PhD, MA (McMaster University), BA (McMaster University)

His research spans spatial and sensory history, digital mapping, and social institutions. Notably, he leads the DECIMA project, digitally mapping sixteenth-century Florence. His recent work explores global perspectives on the Reformation, emphasizing interfaith interactions and colonial impacts.

Key publications include Lost and Found: Locating Foundlings in the Early Modern World (2024) and Global Reformations Sourcebook (2021). He has also contributed to geolocated apps like Hidden Cities (2022), blending digital humanities with urban history.

• Scientific Awards:
  • Fellow, Royal Society of Canada (2014)
  • Marraro Prize, American Historical Association (for Cultures of Charity)
  • Ruth Goodhart Gordan Prize, Renaissance Society of America (for Cultures of Charity)

Terpstra’s interdisciplinary approach connects civil society, gender dynamics, and religious reform to modern issues like social inclusion and urban development.