The Uses of the Dead

Both chronologically and thematically, this book covers much more than its modest title suggests. Not only does it offer a meticulous study of the early modern development of cy-près – a common law doctrine that gives judges the power to redirect charitable gifts to a new purpose. In fact, the first two chapters feature a broader intellectual history of ancient and medieval Christian attitudes towards wealth and gifts, which the third analyzes the development of the civil and canon law doctrine on the reinterpretation of gifts and testaments in the continental ius commune tradition.[…]Sherman has opened up new horizons for research not only about the history of cy-près doctrine in the strict common law sense word, but also about the relationship between Christianity, property, and last wills in general.“-Journal of Jesuit Studies

Caroline R. Sherman is assistant professor of history at The Catholic University of America.