All are welcome to join us for a talk marking the opening of the new exhibit in Sterling Memorial Library, “An American Orientalist: the Life and Legacy of Edward E. Salisbury (1814-1901)”.
In 1841 the Yale Corporation appointed alumnus Edward Elbridge Salisbury (class of 1832) as professor of Arabic and Sanskrit languages and literature, the first such position in the Americas. The Yale University Library organized this exhibit to mark the 175th anniversary of his appointment, with many items being on display for the first time. This curator’s talk will introduce the audience to Salisbury’s scholarly development, his career at Yale and after, his benefactions (including two endowed chairs), and the growth of Yale collections of Islamic manuscripts after Salisbury’s death in 1901.
Salisbury was among the earliest members of the American Oriental Society (founded 1842), and energetically supported both the organization and its journal. His most famous student, William Dwight Whitney, became a prominent linguist and would succeed Salisbury as professor of Sanskrit. After resigning his professorship in 1856, Salisbury continued to contribute to Yale through his involvement in both the Library Committee and the advisory board of the School of Fine Art.
The talk will highlight related materials held in Yale libraries (Manuscripts and Archives, the Beinecke Rare Books and Manuscripts Library, and the general collections) and a reception will follow. All are welcome!