Professor Paul V. Murphy focuses his research on the religious and cultural history of 16th and 17th century Italy. He is the author of Ruling Peacefully. Cardinal Ercole Gonzaga and Patrician Reform in Sixteenth-Century Italy (CUA Press, 2007) as well as a number of articles and book chapters. He is currently working on an edition of the autobiography of an early Jesuit named Pedro de Ribadeneyra who was the first biographer of Ignatius of Loyola. He teaches courses on the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the Reformation, the Jesuits and the papacy. In addition to his work in the department of history, he holds the Breen Chair in Catholic Studies serves as the Director of the Institute of Catholic Studies.