Teofilo F. Ruiz

Teofilo F. Ruiz is a Professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and holds the Peter H. Reill Term Chair in European History. He earned his Ph.D. from Princeton University in 1974, following a B.A. (Magna Cum Laude) from City College, CUNY, and an M.A. from New York University.

• Education:
  • Ph.D. in History, Princeton University (1974)
  • M.A. in History, New York University (1970)
  • B.A. in History, City College, CUNY (1969)

Professor Ruiz specializes in the social and cultural history of late medieval and early modern Castile, with a focus on popular culture, urban history, and religious interactions. His recent research includes a synthetic examination of medieval poverty, studies on Moriscos in 16th-century Spain, and analyses of political rituals and economic structures in medieval and early modern Europe.

Key trends in his publications include:

• Interdisciplinary analysis of political power and cultural symbolism in ritual entries (e.g., Zaragoza, Seville).
• Exploration of interfaith dynamics and ethnic identity in medieval Spain.
• Focus on economic history through case studies of urban centers like Seville and Granada.
• Investigation of historical geography in medieval urban development.

Scientific Awards include:

• Elected member, American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2013)
• Guggenheim Fellow (2007-2008)
• National Humanities Medal (2011-2012)
• Premio del Rey, American Historical Association (1995)
• Carnegie Foundation's Outstanding Master’s Professor of the Year (1994-1995)
• NEH Fellowship (1983-1984)

His grants include fellowships from the Institute for Advanced Study and the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales. Ruiz has also contributed to encyclopedic works, including the International Encyclopaedia for the Middle Ages – Online, and served as a visiting professor at Princeton and other institutions.