Dr. Kathryn Murphy

Biography

Kathryn Murphy is an Associate Professor and Fellow Tutor at Oriel College, University of Oxford, specializing in seventeenth-century literary and intellectual culture. Her research interests encompass early modern literature, philosophy, and theology, particularly through the lens of genre essay and Montaigne's influence. She has authored a book entitled "Robert Burton: Vital Melancholy," expected to publish in 2026, focusing on the interplay of attention and distraction in Burton’s work. Additionally, she examines the anxiety of variety in her book "Tottering Universal: Metaphysical Prose Seventeenth Century," which explores the tension between traditional Aristotelian thought and evolving vernacular philosophical styles. Murphy regularly engages public audiences, reviews modern Czeck fiction, and has curated exhibitions, including a notable Bodleian exhibition in 2021. Her teaching encompasses various undergraduate courses related to English literature and the essay form. She actively supervises graduate students across a wide range of topics and participates in interdisciplinary collaborations involving medical humanities. Murphy is engaged in ongoing research and publication efforts, with an anthology of essays titled "Essays: Montaigne Present" and numerous journal articles that reflect her focus on the seventeenth century and essay writing.

Research Interests

Experience