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Jeannine Olson

photo of Jeannine Olson Craig-Lee Hall (472)
(401) 456-8039
(401) 456-9716
jolson@ric.edu

Academic Background

Ph.D., Stanford University, History and Religious Studies

M.A., Stanford University; Teaching assistant, University of Minnesota

B.A. summa cum laude, St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota​

Dissertation

"The Bourse Française: Deacons and Social Welfare in Calvin's Geneva."

Experience

Prof. of History, Rhode Island College, full-time tenured, Renaissance, Reformation, Early Modern Europe, Tudor-Stuart England; Visiting Prof., Boston Univ. (2008-2010), Luther Seminary, St. Paul (2005, 2006); Doctoral faculty, Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, & Asst. Prof., San Francisco Theological Seminary (1979-1986); University of Minnesota.

Academic Honors, Awards

Danforth Fellow, full tuition, fees, and living expenses at Stanford Univ. for my Ph.D.; Woodrow Wilson Fellow, the same for my M.A. at Stanford; Phi Beta Kappa; James Cameron Fellow and Visiting Professor, St. Andrews University, Scotland, Fall, 1994; Meeter Center for Calvin Studies Fellow, Grand Rapids, 1995; Mary Tucker Thorp Professor, Rhode Island College; Who’s Who.

Books

Deacons and Deaconesses through the Centuries. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1992: Award of Commendation, Concordia Historical Institute.* Second edition, 2005; Calvin and Social Welfare: Deacons and the Bourse française. Selinsgrove: Susquehanna University Press; London and Toronto: Associated University Presses, 1989;** Histoire de l'Église, vingt siècles et six continents. Yaoundé, Cameroun and Strasbourg, France: Editions CLE, 1972. All refereed.

Chapters in Books

“A Struggle against Democracy in Reformed Churches: Beza and Nicolas Des Gallars Collaborate against John Morély. In Calvinus Pastor Ecclesiae: Papers of the Eleventh International Congress on Calvin Research. Ed. Herman Selderhuis and Arnold Huijgen. 409-421. Gottingen: Vanderhoeck & Ruprecht, 2016; “Continuity or Radical Change? Care of the Poor, Medieval and Early Modern.” In Bridging the Medieval-Modern Divide: Medieval Themes in the World of the Reformation. Ed. James Muldoon. 143-74. Farnham, England: Ashgate, 2013; “Church & Society: Calvin’s Theology & Its Early Reception.” In Calvin’s Theology & Its Reception: Disputes, Developments, & New Possibilities. Ed. Todd Billings & John Hesselink, 193-215. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2012; “The Mission to France: Nicolas Des Gallars’ Interaction with John Calvin, Gaspard de Coligny, and Edmund Grindal, Bishop of London.” In Calvinus clarissimus theologus: Papers of the Tenth International Congress on Calvin Research. Ed. Herman Selderhuis. 344-57. Gottingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2012; “John Calvin’s Only Public Office for Women, the Care of the Poor: Wet Nurses, Widows, and Welfare among French Refugees and in the Reformed Tradition.” In Mythes et réalités du XVIe siècle, Foi, Idées, Images: Études en l’honneur d’Alain Dufour. Ed. Bernard Lescaze et Mario Turchetti. 51-69. Alessandria: Edizioni dell’Orso, 2008; also in Korean Calvin Studies (2010): 220-54; "Calvin and Social-Ethical Issues." In the Cambridge Companion to John Calvin. Ed. Donald K. McKim. Cambridge University Press, 2004; "Protestant Deacons in Geneva and Europe after John Calvin." In Caritas et Reformatio: Essays on Church and Society in Honor of Carter Lindberg. Ed. David Whitford, 155-65. St. Louis: Concordia Academic Press, 2002; "Nicolas Des Gallars and the Genevan Connection of the Stranger Churches." In From Strangers to Citizens: Integration of Immigrant Communities in Great Britain, Ireland and the Colonies, 1550-1750. Ed. Randolph Vigne and Charles Littleton, 38-47. Brighton, England: Sussex Academic Press, 2001;*** "A Response to `Calvin's Socio-Political Legacy: Collective Government, Resistance to Tyranny, and Discipline.'" The Legacy of John Calvin: Calvin Studies Society Papers, 1999. Ed. David Foxgrover, 124-9. Grand Rapids: Calvin Studies Society, 2000; “The Friends of Jean Calvin: The Budé Family." Calvin Studies Society Papers, 1995, 1997: Calvin and Spirituality; Calvin and His Contemporaries. Ed. David Foxgrover, 159-68. Grand Rapids: Calvin Studies Society, 1998; "The Crisis of the Advent of Catholicism in a Protestant State: Changing Structures in Social Welfare." The Identity of Geneva: The Christian Commonwealth, 1564-1864. Ed. John Roney and Martin Klauber, 155-68. London: Greenwood Press, 1998; "Les amis de Jean Calvin: La Famille Budé." Calvin et ses contemporains. Ed. Olivier Millet, 97-105. Geneva: Librairie Droz, 1998; "Response to How One Genevan Reacted to Calvinist Preaching: The Case of Benoite Ameaux" and "Response to Viret, Calvin and the State." In Calvin and the State: Papers and Responses Presented at the Seventh and Eighth Colloquia on Calvin and Calvin Studies. Ed. Peter De Klerk, 57-63, 187-88. Grand Rapids: Calvin Studies Society, 1993; "Jean Crespin, Humanist Printer among the Reformation Martyrologists." In The Harvest of Humanism in Central Europe: Essays in Honor of Lewis W. Spitz. Ed. Manfred Fleischer, 317-40. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1992. All refereed. ​

Encyclopedias

“Guillaume Briçonnet; Church Offices; Gallican Confession, Henry IV of France; Jeanne d’Albret of Navarre; Pacification of Ghent; Poissy, Colloquy of; Renée of France, Pierre Viret” in The New Westminster Dictionary of Church History. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2008; "Deaconess, Deacon." "The Geneva Bible." “Guillame Farel." In the Encyclopedia of Protestantism. Ed. Hans Hillerbrand. New York: Routledge, 2004; "Bourbon, House of." "Briçonnet, Guillaume." "Crespin, Jean." “Diaconate." "Du Moulin, Charles." "Geneva Academy." "Jansenism." "Le Clerc, Pierre." "Languet, Hubert." "Libertines." "Pacification of Ghent." In the Oxford Encyclopedia of the Reformation. Edited by Hans Hillerbrand. New York: Oxford University Press, 1996; "Camisard Wars." "Ghent, Pacification." "Wars of Religion (French)." In Encyclopedia of the Reformed Faith. Louisville: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1992.

Articles

“The Flight from France of Nicolas Des Gallars, Archival Discoveries on His Interlude in Geneva (1568-1571) with Beza and the Histoire ecclesiastique des Eglises reformees au Royaume de France,”Bibliotheque d’Humanisme et Renaissance 77, no. 3 (2015): 573-604. In Press; “An English Window on the Huguenot Struggle for Recognition: Nicolas Des Gallars and the Colloquy of Poissy.” Toronto Journal of Theology 25/2 (2009): 227-38; “Nicolas Des Gallars, Sieur de Saules, Kith, Kin, and Aspects of His Work with Calvin in Geneva.” Reformation and Renaissance Review 9.3 (2007): 277-303; “Nicolas Des Gallars and the Colloquy of Poissy: The Neglected Participation of a Pastor of the London Stranger Church in an Ecumenical Council.” Proceedings of the Huguenot Society of Great Britain & Ireland 28, no. 5 (2007): 664-83;*** “An Example from the Diaspora of the Italian Evangelicals: Galeazzo Caracciolo and His Biographies.” Reformation” 10 (2005): 45-76; “Calvin, Social Justice and Diakonia: A Comparative Perspective.” Seminary Ridge Review 7. no. 2 (Spring 2005): 32-49; “The Family, Second Marriage, and Death of Nicolas des Gallars within the Context of His Life and Work: Evidence from the Notarial Records in Paris and in Pau." Bibliothèque d'Humanisme et Renaissance 63, no. 1 (2001): 73-79;*** "Calvin as Person." Concordia Journal 17 (October 1991): 393-403; “Response to Jane Strohl, `Lutheranism's Call to Action amidst Ambiguity.'" Currents in Theology and Mission 18, no. 1 (February 1991): 34-37; "Worship in the Early Reformed Tradition in Church, Home and Field." Liturgy: Journal of the Liturgical Conference 7, no. 3 (Winter 1988): 43-51; "La Bourse Française de Genève: les années d'origine." Revue de Vieux Genève (1987): 16-20;** "Reformation and Revolution in Calvin's Geneva." Halcyon: A Journal of the Humanities 7 (1985): 93-103;**** "Advocacy: Civic or Church Responsibility?" Concern 26, no. 6 (July 1984): 4-5; "A Selection of the Best Books on the Reformation and the Reformed Tradition." Pacific Theological Review 7, no. 3 (Spring 1984): 75-77; "The Bourse Française: Deacons and Social Welfare in Calvin's Geneva." Pacific Theological Review 15, no. 2 (Winter 1982): 18-24;**** “Calvin & the Diaconate.” Liturgy 2, No. 4 (Fall 1982): 78-83.**** "Calvin as Pastor-Administrator During the Reformation in Geneva." ​Pacific Theological Review 14, no. 2 (Spring 1981): 10-17.**** All Refereed.

*Writing assisted by a NEH Duke Univ. Seminar on Interpretations of the Reformation, June 22 - August 7, 1992; **Research assisted by a NEH Travel to Collections Grant, 1984-85.
***Research assisted by a NEH Seminar on the English Reformation, Ohio State Univ., June 13-July 23, 1999.
****Also in Gamble, Richard. Articles on Calvin & Calvinism. 14 Vols. Hamden, Conn.: Garland, 1993.

Book Reviews

Renaissance Quarterly; Bulletin, Institute for Reformed Theology; Nederlands Archief voor Kerkgeschiendenis; Dutch Review of Church History; 16th Century Studies; Theological Studies; Moreana; Bibliothèque d'Humanisme et Renaissance; Proceedings of the Huguenot Society of Great Britain& Ireland; Journal of Interdisciplinary History; American Historical Rev.; Journal of Church & State; Critical Rev. of Books in Religion; Church History; America; Catholic Historical Review; Lutheran Quarterly, Pacific Theological Rev.

Grants

Rhode Island College Faculty Research and Faculty Development grants, 1990s-2016; NEH: Institute, "Persecution, Inquisition, and Martyrdom," Univ. of Maryland, June 19-July 22, 2005; Seminar on John Calvin and his influence on society and culture, Meeter Center for Calvin Studies, Calvin College and Seminary, Grand Rapids, June 27-July 30, 2004; Institute, "Early Modern Women Writers: Venice, London, Paris," Univ. of North Carolina, summer 2001; Institute on Islam, Univ. of Arizona, May 26-June 22, 1996; American Council of Learned Societies Grant for Travel to International Meetings Abroad, $500, 1995; American Philosophical Society, 1994-95; American Academy of Religion, $3636, 1994; NEH: Newberry Library for Renaissance Studies Institute in French Archival Sciences, June 24-August 2, 1991; Stanford Seminar on the Woman Question, 1750-1880, 1989, & Institute on Dante, 1988; Rhode Island College Research Grants, 1988-2006, 2008-2011; American Council of Learned Societies, 1982; Lutheran Brotherhood, 1981-82

Professional Activities

16th Century Studies Society governing council, 2007-2010, & Nancy Roelker Prize Comm., 1997; Calvin Studies Society Council, 1995-99, 2009- & program comm., 1997-99.

Selected Papers

“The Struggle against Democracy in the French Reformed Church during the Wars of Religion.” International Congress on Luther Research, Helsinki, Finland, Aug. 8, 2012; “Anonymous Author of the Histoire Ecclésiastique des Eglises Reformées au royaume de France: Theodore Beza? Nicolas Des Gallars”? 16th Century Society & Conference, Fort Worth, Texas, Oct. 27-30, 2011; “Classical Humanist or Literary Propagandist? The Publications of Nicolas Des Gallars.” 46th International Congress on Medieval Studies, Western Michigan Univ., Kalamazoo, May 12-15, 2011; “Nicolas Des Gallars, Sieur de Saules: Calvin’s Protégé; Reformed Pastor and Missionary,” 16th Century Society & Conference, Montreal, Canada, Oct. 14-17, 2010; “Nicolas Des Gallars During the French Wars of Religion,” International Congress on Calvin Research, Univ. of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa, August 26, 2010; “An English Window on the Colloquy of Poissy, Nicolas Des Gallars,” Instituting Calvin: Society, Culture and Diaspora, International Conference, Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Five Centuries of Global Calvinism,” Univ. of Toronto, June 19, 2009; “John Calvin’s Only Public Office for Women, the Care of the Poor: Wet Nurses, Widows, & Welfare among French Refugees and in the Reformed Tradition,” Freie Universität Berlin, Fachbereich Geschichts- und Kulturwissenschaften, Friedrich-Meinecke-Institut, Berlin, June 16, 2009; “What a Difference a Pastor Makes: Calvin and the Construction of the Church in Geneva after Nicolas Des Gallars’ Arrival in the 1540s,” International Conference: Calvin et son influence, 1509-2009,” Geneva, Switzerland, May 24-27, 2009; “Nicolas Des Gallars and the Augsburg Confession at the Colloquy of Poissy in France,” International Congress on Luther Research, Canoas, Brazil, July 25, 2007; “John Calvin’s Only Public Office for Women: Wet Nurses, Widows, and Welfare in Geneva and in the Reformed Tradition,” International Congress on Calvin Research, Emden, Germany, August 23, 2006;"The Education and Formation of the Early Reformers of Geneva," Sixteenth Century Studies Conference, Atlanta, October 20-23, 2005; "Galeazzo Caracciolo, Italian Friend of Calvin, and the Popularity of His Biographies through the Twentieth Century," Sixteenth Century Studies Conference, Toronto, October 29, 2004; "Calvin, Social Justice and Diakonia: A Comparative Perspective," Lutheran Theological Seminary, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, October 27, 2004; "Nicolas Des Gallars, John Calvin's Apprentice," Sixteenth Century Studies Conference, Pittsburgh, October 30, 2003; "Luther and Tyndale on the Sermon on the Mount," Patristic, Mediaeval, and Renaissance Studies, Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania, September 5-7, 2003; "Evidence on the Care of Orphans and Foster Children in Reformation Geneva from the Archival Records," Sixteenth Century Studies Conference, San Antonio, Texas, October 24-29, 2002; "Galeazzo Caracciolo: An Italian Nobleman amongst the Protestants." Tenth International Congress for Luther Research, Copenhagen, Denmark, August 4-9, 2002; "Common Women; Reading Women: Evidence from the Archives of Reformation Geneva," Renaissance Society of America, Scottsdale, Arizona, April 11-13, 2002; "Nicolas des Gallars and the Discipline of the French-speaking Church for Refugees in London under Elizabeth I," Sixteenth Century Studies Conference, Denver, October 25-28, 2001; "Nicolas des Gallars: Theologian and Friend of Calvin," American Society of Church History, Boston, January 4-7, 2001; "Nicolas des Gallars, John Calvin's Friend," Sixteenth Century Studies Conference, Cleveland, Ohio, November 2-5, 2000; "Nicolas des Gallars and the Genevan Connection of the Stranger Churches," International Historical Conference: From Strangers to Citizens, Integration of Immigrant Communities in Great Britain, Ireland, and the Colonies, 1550-1750, London, England, April 5-7, 2000; "Images of Geneva and the Reformation in the Sixteenth Century: The Myth and the Anti-Myth of Geneva," Sixteenth Century Studies Conference, Toronto, Canada, October 22-25, 1998; "John Calvin's Humanist Friends: The Family of Guillaume Budé," Medieval Forum, Plymouth, New Hampshire, April 17-18, 1998; "John Calvin and His Zealous Friends," Sixteenth Century Studies Conference, Atlanta, October 24, 1997; "John Calvin's Circle of Friends and His Publication Endeavor," Ninth International Congresses for Luther Research, Heidelberg, Germany, August 20, 1997; "The Friends of John Calvin: The Budé Family," Calvin Studies Conference, Louisville, April 24-26, 1997; "Jean Crespin, Friend of Calvin? Calvin and the Publishers," Sixteenth Century Studies Conference, St. Louis, October 25, 1996; "John Calvin and His Circle of Friends," Medieval Forum, Plymouth, New Hampshire, Friday, April 19, 1996; "Social Welfare and the Transformation of Polity in Geneva," the American Historical Association, Atlanta, January 5-8, 1996; "Le groupe des amis proches [de Jean Calvin]," Colloque: Calvin et ses contemporains, organisé par la Société de l'Histoire du Protestantisme français avec le patronage de la Société française des Etudes sur le Seizième Siècle, de l'Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes, et avec la participation de l'Université de Paris-XII-Val-de-Marne, October 13, 1995; "John Calvin's Circle of Friends," St. Andrews Univ., Scotland, Dec. 1, 1994, Edinburgh U., Nov. 30, 1994; "The Political Framework of Sixteenth Century Geneva, University of Aberdeen, November 22, 1994; "Response to Robert Kingdon, `A New View of Calvin in the Light of the Registers of the Geneva Consistory,'" "International Congress on Calvin Research, Edinburgh, Scotland, September 14, 1994; "John Calvin's Friends," Sixteenth Century Studies Conference, St. Louis, December 10, 1993; "Recent Research in Calvin's Geneva," 8th International Congress for Luther Research, Minneapolis, August 11, 1993; "A Life of John Calvin," Sixteenth Century Studies Conference, Atlanta, October 23, 1992; "Welfare in Calvinist Geneva," New England Historical Association, Providence, October 17, 1992; "The Institutionalization of the Diaconate in Geneva after Calvin," Sixteenth Century Studies Conference, Philadelphia, October 19, 1991; "Religion and the Age of Discovery," Columbus Quincentenary, Rhode Island, 1990-92; Response to Robert Linder, "Viret, Calvin and the State," 8th Calvin Studies Colloquium, Grand Rapids, May 9, 1991.

Courses Taught

HIST 161 Western History
HIST 263 Christianity in Global Perspct
HIST 305 The Age of the Renaissance
HIST 306 The Age of the Reformation
HIST 350 Topics
HIST 371 Reading Course in History​​​​​​

Page last updated: October 09, 2019