Dr. Matteo Soranzo

Biography

Matteo Soranzo is an Associate Professor at McGill University specializing in Italian Studies. He holds a Dott. Lett. from the University of Padua and a PhD from the University of Wisconsin. His research interests encompass Cultural History, particularly investigating the role of literature in identity formation and the intersection of literary texts with various disciplines including philosophy, astrology, and alchemy. His chronological focus is on the Quattrocento period, and he engages with contemporary debates surrounding religious pluralism and western esoteric traditions. His significant works include 'Poetry and Identity in Quattrocento Naples,' which explores the social and cultural implications of literary texts, and 'Giovanni Aurelio Augurello (1441-1524) and Renaissance Alchemy,' a detailed examination of a Neo-Latin poem on the Philosophers’ Stone. Through his research, Soranzo seeks to uncover the interplay between textual criticism, history, and the sciences within the context of Renaissance literature. He is currently leading a SSHRC-funded project that investigates the cultural significance of the Philosophers’ Stone in Quattrocento Italy, focusing on the manuscript traditions associated with this theme. Soranzo has authored numerous articles and book chapters on topics related to astrology and alchemy during the Renaissance period.

Research Interests