S. Brent Plate

About the Author

S. Brent Plate is a distinguished scholar and writer whose work bridges the realms of religion, culture, and sensory experience. With a PhD in religious studies, he has taught at institutions such as Hamilton College and is widely recognized for his innovative approach to understanding spirituality through tangible, everyday objects. Plate's explorations delve into how the material world shapes religious thought and practice, offering fresh perspectives on faith in contemporary society. His acclaimed book, A History of Religion in 5½ Objects: Bringing the Spiritual to Its Senses, exemplifies this method by examining religion through the lenses of sight, sound, touch, taste, smell, and an enigmatic half-object. Through his writing, Plate invites readers to engage with the divine in profoundly human ways, making complex ideas accessible and vivid.