The Library Company of Philadelphia welcomes applications for its Program in Early American Economy and Society (PEAES) Dissertation Fellowships, Albert M. Greenfield Foundation Dissertation Fellowships, and Francis Johnson Fellowships. The deadline for receipt of applications is March 1, 2021.

Program in Early American Economy and Society Dissertation Fellowships

The Program in Early American Economy and Society (PEAES) at the Library Company of Philadelphia invites applications for dissertation fellowships during 2021-2022. These research fellowships are designed to promote scholarship in early American economy and society, broadly defined, from its colonial beginnings to the 1850s. Possible research topics include Atlantic and global connections of the American economy; its commerce, business, technology, manufacturing, agriculture, internal development, or political economy; the history of race and the economy, capitalism, households, or gendered economies. All fellows are expected to be resident in Philadelphia and conduct research in the area for the duration of awards.

The dissertation research fellowship carries a stipend of $25,000, tenable for nine consecutive months of residency from September 1, 2021 to May 31, 2022; or it may be divided among two or three fellows who would be expected to conduct research during the same period.

To apply, visit the application page to submit an online coversheet and upload a single portable document format (PDF) containing a brief résumé, a two- to four-page description of proposed research, and a writing sample of no more than 25 pages (http://librarycompany.org/newlcp/index.php/academic-programs/fellowships/application). Two letters of recommendation should be submitted online in PDF format (https://librarycompany.org/academic-programs/fellowships/application/letters). For more information, email Cathy Matson at cmatson@udel.edu.

Albert M. Greenfield Foundation Dissertation Fellowships

The Albert M. Greenfield Foundation Dissertation Fellowship supports dissertation research in residence at the Library Company on any subject relevant to its collections. The term of the fellowship is from September 1, 2021 to May 31, 2022, with a stipend of $25,000. The award may be divided between two applicants, each of whom would receive $12,500 for the period September 1, 2021 to January 15, 2022 or January 15, 2022 to May 31, 2022.

To apply, visit the application page to submit an online coversheet and upload a single portable document format (PDF) containing a brief résumé, a two- to four-page description of proposed research, and a writing sample of no more than 25 pages (http://librarycompany.org/newlcp/index.php/academic-programs/fellowships/application). Two letters of recommendation should be submitted online in PDF format (https://librarycompany.org/academic-programs/fellowships/application/letters). For more information, email Will Fenton at wfenton@librarycompany.org.

Francis Johnson Fellowships

The Francis Johnson Fellowships will support two fellows—a humanities scholar and a creative practitioner—who will delve into the compositions of one of the most popular black composers prior to the American Civil War. These fellows will be encouraged to explore a manuscript book of 80 compositions (some unpublished) in conjunction with printed materials held at both the Library Company and at the Kislak Center at the University of Pennsylvania. Each Francis Johnson Fellow will receive a stipend of $5000; $2500 research fund to be defined by the fellow and program director; travel expenses (up to $500); and lodging at the Library Company’s Cassatt House residence for four to eight weeks.

To apply, email a proposal (no more than 1000 words) plus a preliminary budget and timeline, resume or c.v., and one letter of reference to wfenton@librarycompany.org. For more information, visit the Francis Johnson Fellowship webpage (https://librarycompany.org/francis-johnson-fellowships) or email Will Fenton at wfenton@librarycompany.org.

About Library Company of Philadelphia

The Library Company, founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1731 and located in Center City Philadelphia, holds over half a million rare books and graphics that are capable of supporting research in a variety of fields and disciplines relating to the history of America and the Atlantic world in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. The holdings include the nation’s second largest collection of pre-1801 American imprints and one of the largest collections of 18th-century British books in America. Information about the subject strengths of the collections can be found at http://librarycompany.org/newlcp/index.php/research.

About the Fellowship Program

The Library Company fellowship program began in 1987, which now boasts more than 1,100 alumni. Fellows share opportunities to participate in the Philadelphia region’s vibrant intellectual life while conducting their research in the print, graphics, and manuscript collections of the Library Company and other local institutions. Fellows have an opportunity to present their research publicly through conferences, seminars, and colloquia. The Library Company’s Cassatt House fellows’ residence offers rooms at reasonable rates, along with a kitchen, common room, and offices with internet access and is available to resident and non-resident fellows at all hours (http://librarycompany.org/newlcp/index.php/academic-programs/fellowships/cassatt).