Ulrich Lehner

Ulrich Lehner. He is a German-born historian and theologian specializing in the intellectual and religious history of early modern and modern Europe, with a particular focus on the Catholic Church. A professor at the University of Notre Dame, Lehner's scholarship has been instrumental in re-evaluating periods such as the Catholic Enlightenment and the lead-up to the Second Vatican Council. His work is recognized for bridging historical analysis with contemporary theological discourse, making significant contributions to understanding the dynamic relationship between faith, reason, and modernity.

Early life and education

Ulrich Lehner was born and raised in Germany, where he developed an early interest in history and religious thought. He pursued his higher education at the University of Regensburg, a notable center for Catholic studies in Bavaria. At Regensburg, he studied under influential scholars in the fields of theology and philosophy, laying a firm foundation for his later research. He completed his doctorate, focusing on themes within early modern intellectual history, which set the trajectory for his future academic career.

Career

Lehner began his academic career with teaching and research positions in Europe before moving to the United States. He held a professorship at Marquette University, a Jesuit institution in Milwaukee, where he contributed to the Department of Theology. In 2016, he joined the faculty of the University of Notre Dame, one of the premier Catholic research universities in North America. At Notre Dame, he holds an appointment in the Department of Theology and is a fellow of the Nanovic Institute for European Studies. Lehner has also been a visiting professor at institutions like the University of Vienna and the University of Oxford.

Research and publications

Ulrich Lehner's research centers on the complex interplay between religion and modernity from the Reformation to the twentieth century. He is a leading authority on the Catholic Enlightenment, a movement he has extensively documented and analyzed in works such as his seminal book, The Catholic Enlightenment: The Forgotten History of a Global Movement. His scholarship also explores Jansenism, mysticism, and the intellectual history of the Society of Jesus. Other major publications include On the Road to Vatican II: German Catholic Enlightenment and Reform of the Church and the edited volume The Oxford Handbook of Early Modern Theology, 1600-1800. His work frequently appears in journals like the Catholic Historical Review and Church History.

Awards and honors

For his contributions to historical scholarship, Lehner has received several prestigious awards. His book The Catholic Enlightenment won the John Gilmary Shea Prize from the American Catholic Historical Association. He has also been recognized with a Choice Outstanding Academic Title award from the American Library Association. Lehner's research has been supported by fellowships from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and the Louisville Institute. He is an elected member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts.

Personal life

Ulrich Lehner maintains a connection to his German heritage while being actively engaged in the American academic community. He is known to be a practicing Roman Catholic whose faith informs his scholarly pursuit of church history. Beyond his academic work, he participates in broader public intellectual discourse, contributing to publications like Commonweal and engaging in dialogues about contemporary Catholicism. He resides in Indiana with his family.

Category:German historians Category:American theologians Category:University of Notre Dame faculty Category:Historians of Christianity