Renaissance Society of America

ABOUT The Renaissance Society of America is the largest international learned society devoted to the study of the era 1300–1700. Founded in 1954, RSA has grown to include over 5,000 members around the world. One quarter of them are outside North America. RSA’s members can be found especially at universities and other institutions of higher education as faculty, graduate students, and postgraduate students, as well as at museums, libraries, and cultural institutions; members also include independent scholars and many others interested in Renaissance studies. Members identify with one or more disciplinary groups. The number of these groups has grown over the years, reflecting the field’s vibrancy and diversity. They are Americas, Art and Architecture, Book History, Classical Tradition, Comparative Literature, Digital Humanities, Emblems, English Literature, French Literature, Germanic Literature, Hebraica, Hispanic Literature, History, Humanism, Islamic World, Italian Literature, Legal and Political Thought, Medicine and Science, Music, Neo-Latin Literature, Performing Arts and Theater, Philosophy, Religion, Rhetoric, Women and Gender. RSA also recognizes some ninety associate organizations, which range from other learned societies, to research centers, to university seminars. RSA supports scholarship in a number of ways. The journal, Renaissance Quarterly, is published by the University of Chicago Press. It publishes new research as well as some 500 book reviews a year. RSA also supports book publication in its series with Brill. The research fellowships program now numbers over 30 awards annually, and an awards program recognizes scholarly achievement each year. RSA also has a regular newsletter, Renaissance News. RSA supports member access to research resources by offering discounted subscriptions to several databases as well as access to Early English Books Online. The annual meeting, held in late March or early April, is the largest in the field. At our 2015 meeting at Humboldt University, some 3,000 scholars presented and discussed their work at over 800 sessions. The annual meeting also provides an occasion to speak informally with colleagues and friends, and to plan new projects. RSA, a not-for-profit (501(c)(3)) membership organization incorporated in the State of New York, is a member of the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS). Its offices are located in the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. It is governed by an Executive Board; its leadership also includes a larger Council composed of Discipline Representatives and representatives of Associate Organizations. MISSION STATEMENT The Renaissance Society of America promotes study of the period 1300–1700. The Society produces the Renaissance Quarterly journal and sponsors publications, fellowships, awards, and other benefits for its members, to support their research and recognize their accomplishments. Its annual meeting brings together scholars from North America and around the world, representing a wide variety of academic disciplines. RSA’s members include college and university faculty and students; staff at museums, libraries, and other cultural institutions; independent scholars; and many others interested in Renaissance studies.