Eleonore Stump is the Robert J. Henle Professor of Philosophy at Saint Louis University, a role she has held since 1992. Her extensive career has focused on medieval philosophy, the philosophy of religion, and contemporary metaphysics, establishing her as a central figure in modern academic discourse regarding the intersection of theological inquiry and logical argumentation.
Academic Foundation
Stump graduated from Grinnell College in 1969 with a B.A. in classical languages, earning the Archibald Prize for her academic performance. She pursued advanced studies at Harvard University, obtaining an M.A. in Biblical Studies in 1971. Her training culminated at Cornell University, where she completed an M.A. and a Ph.D. in Medieval Studies, specifically focusing on medieval philosophy, in 1975. Prior to her tenure at Saint Louis University, she held teaching positions at Oberlin College, Virginia Polytechnic and State University, and Notre Dame.
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Her research output spans decades and addresses complex themes in metaphysics and religious philosophy. Her monographs include the 2003 volume Aquinas and the 2010 study Wandering in Darkness: Narrative and the Problem of Suffering. Her 2018 work Atonement was followed by The Image of God: The Problem of Evil and the Problem of Mourning in 2022, and Grains of Wheat: Suffering and Biblical Narratives in 2024. These texts analyze the relationship between biblical narrative, evil, and the human condition, with her findings published in numerous languages, including German, Chinese, and Russian.
Professional Distinctions
Stump has received significant recognition for her leadership and research, including the Aquinas Medal awarded by the American Catholic Philosophical Association in 2013. She has delivered major lecture series such as the Gifford Lectures at Aberdeen in 2003, the Wilde lectures at Oxford in 2006, and the Stanton lectures at Cambridge in 2018. Her project on intellectual humility, conducted with John Greco, received $3.3 million in funding from the John Templeton Foundation. She holds honorary doctorates from institutions including Marquette University, Tilburg University, and the Hochschule fuer Philosophie in Munich.
Institutional Leadership
Beyond her faculty responsibilities, Stump has served in multiple leadership capacities within academic societies. She has functioned as president of the Society of Christian Philosophers, Philosophers in Jesuit Education, the American Catholic Philosophical Association, and the American Philosophical Association, Central Division. She remains a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, contributing to the broader development of philosophical pedagogy and research standards in the United States.
Fast facts
- Born: 1947
- Current Position: Robert J. Henle Professor of Philosophy, Saint Louis University
- Major Award: Aquinas Medal (2013)
- Alma Mater: Grinnell College (B.A.), Harvard University (M.A.), Cornell University (Ph.D.)
- Primary Fields: Metaphysics, medieval philosophy, philosophy of religion
- Professional Membership: American Academy of Arts and Sciences
Questions readers ask
Where does Eleonore Stump currently teach?
She is the Robert J. Henle Professor of Philosophy at Saint Louis University, where she has been a member of the faculty since 1992.
What subjects does her research cover?
Her work focuses primarily on medieval philosophy, contemporary metaphysics, and the philosophy of religion, particularly concerning issues of suffering and evil.
Achievements
- Aquinas Medal — 2013
- Held posts at Saint Louis University
- Fields: philosophy of religion, medieval philosophy and metaphysics
