Symposium to honor Robert Kingdon

An international symposium honoring the scholarly legacy of Robert Kingdon, professor emeritus of history at UW–Madison, will explore “The Frontiers of the Reformation,” Kingdon’s scholarly specialty, Feb. 25 and 26.

Scholars from other nations and around the country will join colleagues at UW–Madison to look at such subjects as the social history of poverty, alcohol and the clergy, early modern calendar reform, witches and magicians and more.

The symposium is sponsored by the UW–Madison Institute for Research in the Humanities, where Kingdon served as director from 1975-98. Current director Paul Boyer says the symposium is an excellent way to celebrate Kingdon’s contributions, as well as showcase new directions for the humanities.

“Robert Kingdon is recognized internationally for his work in Reformation studies, and continues to be in demand as a conference participant around the world. In addition, he was one of the founding figures in religious studies at Wisconsin,” Boyer says.

Kingdon joined the UW faculty in 1965. He retired in 1998.

This 23rd Burdick-Vary Symposium is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Loretta Freiling, (608) 262-3855.