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 via 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 will investigate 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

Professor Albrecht Classen, Department of German Studies, College of Humanities addressed Myths about the Middle Ages: Medieval Engineering, War Technology, and Manuscript Illuminations in the Case of Conrad Kyeser’s Bellifortis .

Tuesday, April 11

Professor Laura Hollengreen, College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture, highlighted the history of the Morgan Old Testament Picture Book, Fit for a Crusader King:  The Thirteenth-Century Morgan Picture Book, its lavish biblical picture cycles, and original lack of text.