Specialization: Intellectual and Cultural History of late medieval and early modern Europe.
Professor Collins’s research explores key themes at the intersection of religious, social, and intellectual history, including learned magic, and the interactions between scientific and theological thought, the cult of the saints, and Renaissance humanism.
Recent Publications
- Disenchanting Albert the Great: The Life and Afterlife of a Medieval Magician (2024): This work investigates the famous medieval scholar's position on magic, the centuries-long controversy over his alleged practice of it, and the lasting significance of this debate for the history of science and religion.
- The Jesuits in the United States: A Concise History (2023): A comprehensive overview of Jesuit work in America from the colonial era to the present day.
University and Service Work
Fr. Collins has a deep commitment to institutional history and reconciliation. He chaired Georgetown's Working Group on Slavery, Memory, and Reconciliation in 2015-16 and continues to be engaged with this project for both the university and the Jesuit order.
Background
Professor Collins entered the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) in 1987 and was ordained a Catholic priest in 1998. He earned his Ph.D. in medieval history from Northwestern University in 2004, the same year he joined the Georgetown History Department.
Academic Appointment(s)
- Primary
- Professor, College - Department of History