Carol Zaleski

Carol Zaleski is an American scholar and author specializing in religious studies. She holds a PhD from Harvard University and is currently a professor of world religions at Smith College. Zaleski has authored several notable books exploring religious themes, often collaborating with her husband, Philip Zaleski. Her work has received critical acclaim, with some books recognized by major publications like The New York Times and The Washington Post.

Her expertise extends to the concept of the afterlife, for which she has contributed articles to Encyclopædia Britannica on heaven, hell, and purgatory. Journalist Lisa Miller has referred to her as a foundational figure in modern studies of heaven. Zaleski has also delivered published lectures and contributes regularly to publications such as The Christian Century, where she serves as editor-at-large. Her essays and reviews have appeared in various prominent newspapers and magazines, and she has received multiple awards for her theological reflections.

Carol Zaleski's academic career includes teaching at Harvard University, where she earned her PhD in the study of religion. She currently holds the position of professor of world religions at Smith College. Her scholarly output includes several well-regarded books that delve into religious topics. Among these are 'Otherworld Journeys' and 'The Life of the World to Come'. In collaboration with her husband, Philip Zaleski, she co-authored 'The Book of Heaven and Prayer: A History', which was recognized as a notable book by The New York Times and a best nonfiction book of 2005 by The Christian Science Monitor. Their joint work 'The Fellowship: The Literary Lives of J. R. R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, Owen Barfield, Charles Williams' also garnered positive reviews from major literary outlets.

Zaleski is particularly recognized for her extensive writings on the afterlife, contributing authoritative articles on heaven, hell, and purgatory to Encyclopædia Britannica. Her work in this area has led journalist Lisa Miller to dub her "the mother of modern heaven studies." She has delivered public lectures, including the Ingersoll Lectures on Human Immortality with her talk "In Defense of Immortality" and the Albert Cardinal Meyer Lectures, which resulted in the publication "The Life of the World to Come." Zaleski's engagement with spiritual themes is also evident in her regular column on faith for The Christian Century, where she also holds the role of editor-at-large. Her essays have explored complex spiritual subjects, such as her 2003 First Things essay on Mother Teresa's spiritual struggles, which garnered significant attention.

“the mother of modern heaven studies”