School of Historical Studies

A cooperation between the American University in Cairo (AUC) and five academic institutions, including the Institute for Advanced Study, has seen a rare archive documenting the al-Khanji family's cultural impact on early twentieth-century Cairo transferred to AUC. The unique collection, consisting of thousands of documents, reveals the family's significant role in the trade and publishing of manuscripts, offering unprecedented insights into the intellectual networks of the time.

Introducing Celia Sánchez Natalías, William D. Loughlin Member in the School of Historical Studies, whose research focuses on lead curse tablets, or defixiones, from the Roman period. In this Q&A, she discusses her ‘autopsy’ work, being motivated by curiosity, and her fascination with virtually unrolling papyri.

Sarah Davis-Secord, Member in the School of Historical Studies (2023–24), reflects on how Albert Einstein's cosmic perspective inspired her thinking about transregional histories, and discusses how her own learning has evolved through interactions with colleagues at the Institute for Advanced Study.

María Bárbara Zepeda Cortés, John Elliott Member in the Institute for Advanced Study's School of Historical Studies (2023–24), explores how she is challenging conventions in biographical writing.

This selection of books provides a peek into the treasure-trove of scholar publications from the Schools of Historical Studies and Social Science that have been promoted via the Institute’s social media channels in the past six months.

Clara Latham, Martin L. and Sarah F. Leibowitz Member and Edward T. Cone Member in Music Studies in the School of Historical Studies, describes the contradictions that inspire her work, which surround the perceptions of musical labor with particular reference to music technology.

In celebration of the appointment of Maria Hsiuya Loh to the School of Historical Studies Faculty, Visitor (2021–22) and Research Associate (2022) Abbey Ellis explores how Loh's work reshapes traditional views of a great Renaissance artist and grafts new stems onto the legacy of art historical scholarship at the Institute.

The research of Brad Bolman, Founders' Circle Member in the School of Historical Studies, focuses on the history of knowledge about organisms since the nineteenth century. "I study how scientists and other interested parties come to know what an organism is, whether it’s a beagle, a rose, or a truffle," he explains.

Art historian Marilyn Aronberg Lavin describes how three busts attributed to Baroque artist Gianlorenzo Bernini shaped the career of her husband Irving Lavin, past Professor in the School of Historical Studies, and how she recently repatriated one of these artworks to Italy from her home at IAS.

The diplomat and historian George F. Kennan, Faculty (1956–74) in the School of Historical Studies, is the subject of a "clear-eyed, and compelling" biography written by Member (2009–10) and Director's Visitor (2011) Frank Costigliola.