In Memoriam: Carter Lindberg, 1937–2024

• Published in: The Sixteenth century journal Vol. 54; no. 3-4; pp. 407 - 408
• Main Author: Whitford, David
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chicago University of Chicago Press 01.09.2023
• Subjects: Lindberg, Carter; Protestant Reformation; Religious history; University professors
• ISSN: 0361-0160; 2326-0726
• DOI: 10.1086/730885

Carter Lindberg was Professor Emeritus of Church History and Reformation Studies at Boston University School of Theology. He taught there for over thirty years before retiring in 2002. He served the academy in a number of roles—as a doctoral mentor, engaged scholar, and warm and approachable teacher. He served as president of the Sixteenth Century Society in 1979 and also served on the Council both before and after his years as vice-president and president. For over a decade he served on the continuation committee of the International Congress for Luther Research. He is best known for his 1996 textbook, The European Reformations. Textbooks do not often change scholarly discourse on a topic, but European Reformations changed how people both understand the reformations of the sixteenth century and teach them. He cared deeply about the social impact of the reformations, publishing numerous articles on the topic, editing a volume, and authoring, in 1993, Beyond Charity: Reformation Initiatives for the Poor. He also wrote and thought a great deal about love. His last monograph, published in 2008, was Love: A Brief History. Carter loved and laughed deeply.