The Library Company of Philadelphia invites applications for its Postdoctoral Fellowships in the Program in Early American Economy and Society (PEAES). PEAES Fellowships support research in the collections of the Library Company, the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, and other nearby institutions into the origins and development of the early American economy, broadly conceived, to roughly 1850. The fellowships provide scholars the opportunity to investigate such topics as history of commerce, fin­­ance, technology, manufacturing, agriculture, internal improvements, and economic policy making.

The stipend is $50,000 for the academic year (September 1, 2024, to May 31, 2025) or $25,000 for the fall or spring semester. Fellows must reside in the Philadelphia area for the duration of their fellowship.

Applications

The application deadline is November 1, 2023, with a decision to be made by the end of December 2023. Applicants may be citizens of any country, and they must hold a PhD by September 1, 2024. Scholars at any stage of their career are welcome to apply.

To apply, fill out the online application form and upload a single PDF file containing the following elements: a project abstract of approximately 150 words; a two- to four-page description of your proposed research (single-spaced, not to exceed 1,500 words), making clear how Library Company collections will support your research; a brief CV; and a writing sample of no more than 25 pages. In addition, two letters of recommendation should be uploaded directly by the writers here.

About the 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 the United States 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 here.