The Camden Public Library, as a part of the Camden Conference Community Events Series, welcomes Professor Robert G. Morrison for a presentation about the intellectual exchange between Islamic societies and Renaissance Europe on Tuesday, December 9, at 6:30 PM in the Picker Room.
The Renaissance is often seen as the result of Europeans’ re-engagement with the heritage of Classical Antiquity, which Islamic societies preserved during the Dark Ages.
Recent research has shown, though, that the science of Islamic societies from the twelfth through sixteenth centuries was crucial for Renaissance science.
As Renaissance Europe depended on knowledge from Islamic societies, Muslim scholars greatly benefitted from knowledge coming out of Europe. Merchants of knowledge—multilingual and transregional Jewish scholars—became an important bridge among the powers.
This event will take place in person only, but will be recorded and available online afterward.
Robert G. Morrison is George Lincoln Skolfield, Jr. Professor of Religion and Middle Eastern and North African Studies at Bowdoin College. His research has focused on the role of science in Islamic and Jewish texts, as well as in the history of Islamic science. He is the author of the book Merchants of Knowledge: Intellectual Exchange in the Ottoman Empire & Renaissance Europe.
This event is presented in anticipation of the 39th Annual Camden Conference, “Today’s Middle East: Power, Politics, & Players” taking place live from the Camden Opera House from February 20 – 22, 2026.
You may also like the following events from Camden Public Library:
- Next month, 2nd December, 06:30 pm, “Aging, Endurance, and Long Walks on Ancient Paths” with Wilderness Backpacker Tom Jamrog in Camden
- Next month, 4th December, 06:30 pm, “The Last Accordion He Will Ever Buy” Poetry with Gary Chapin & Musical Accompaniment in Camden
- Next month, 7th December, 01:00 pm, Ho Ho Holiday Children's Book Fair Extravaganza! in Camden
Also check out other
Business events in Camden,
Arts events in Camden,
Literary Art events in Camden.
