Professor Dr. David Porreca

Biography

David Porreca is an Associate Professor and Co-Director of the Medieval Studies program at the University of Waterloo. He completed his Ph.D. at the Warburg Institute, University of London, focusing on the influence of hermetic texts on Western European philosophers and theologians during the period of 1160-1300. His academic journey began in Montréal and progressed through an Honours BA in Medieval Studies from the University of Waterloo, followed by an MA from the University of Toronto. His research interests center on Medieval intellectual history, with a specific focus on the reception of the pagan classical tradition within Christian contexts, particularly during the Middle Ages. He is currently researching Hermes Trismegistus and has examined references to this figure across thirty manuscript libraries in Europe, fostering an interest in ancient and medieval magic, astrology, alchemy, and manuscript transmission. Porreca has collaborated with Dan Attrell on translating the Latin text known as Picatrix and has also worked on Marsilio Ficino's De Christiana religione. His teaching interests encompass Latin (both Classical and Medieval), magic, esoterica, and the broader definitions and societal constructs of the Middle Ages. Recent publications include works on magic in the Latin Picatrix and translations of key Medieval texts.

Research Interests

Experience