Early Books Lecture Series XVIII

The Early Books Lecture Series XVIII was established at the University of Arizona by Dr. Albrecht Classen, University Distinguished Professor of German Studies. For nearly 20 years, University of Arizona scholars have invited the community to explore rare books held by Special Collections, a department of the University Libraries that provides primary resource materials for research and is open to students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

The lectures are free and open to the public. This year's series is available in person and on Zoom.

Tuesday, April 18 - Registration is closed
4-6pm
Professor Jiang Wu, Department of East Asian Studies, College of Humanities
The Japanese Ōbaku Canon 黃檗藏 and Modern Buddhist Canon Compilations in East Asia

Wu investigates the history of the Ōbaku Canon in China and Japan and evaluates its role in reinventing the Buddhist textual tradition in the modern era.

Dr. Wu Awarded Guggenheim Fellowship

University of Arizona Department of East Asian Studies Professor and Center for Buddhist Studies Director Jiang Wu is one of 171 scientists, writers, scholars and artists awarded a 2023 Guggenheim Fellowship. Wu said he was thrilled to be named a fellow and called the honor a "gratifying moment that comes after so many years of hard work and research." Read full story.

Past Lectures

Tuesday, April 4
4-6pm
Professor Albrecht Classen, Department of German Studies, College of Humanities
Myths about the Middle Ages: Medieval Engineering, War Technology, and Manuscript Illuminations in the Case of Conrad Kyeser’s Bellifortis  

Classen addressesed the question: What do we really know about the Middle Ages and its technological accomplishments?

Tuesday, April 11
4-6pm
Professor Laura Hollengreen, College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture
Fit for a Crusader King:  The Thirteenth-Century Morgan Picture Book

Hollengreen highlighted the history of the Morgan Old Testament Picture Book, its lavish biblical picture cycles, and original lack of text.

Pictured, left to right: Professors Jiang Wu, Laura Hollengreen, and Albrecht Classen