Call for Papers

The Worlds of Lion Gardiner, c. 1599-1663: Crossings and Boundaries

Stony Brook, New York, March 20-21, 2009 (Please note the date change)

The State University of New York at Stony Brook, in cooperation with the McNeil Center for Early American Studies, will hold a conference in Stony Brook on March 20-21, 2009, on “The Worlds of Lion Gardiner, c. 1599-1663: Crossings and Boundaries.” Military man and engineer, chronicler and diplomat, lord of a New English manor married to a Dutch woman, Gardiner led a life replete with crossings: of the English Channel to engage in Continental wars, of the Atlantic, of the lesser waters of Long Island Sound, of national, imperial, and colonial borders, of racial divides, and of the very bounds of colonial law. The many crossings in which he and his contemporaries were involved did much to create boundaries between things previously less clearly separated.

We invite proposals from scholars in any field for papers on topics related to the many worlds in which Gardiner lived: in the continental European service in an age of religious wars, in more peaceful pursuits in England and the Netherlands, in migration to North America, in Native American war and diplomacy, in marrying across ethnic bounds, in narration and discourse, or on any other related topic. We are especially interested in approaching Gardiner’s many worlds through the crossing of disciplinary boundaries.

Pre-circulated papers of approximately 30 pages will be due by December 15, 2008. Advanced graduate students as well as more senior scholars are welcome; travel support is available. To apply, by March 15, 2008, please send a 500-word proposal along with a brief c.v., to mceas@ccat.sas.upenn.edu or:

Gardiner Conference
McNeil Center for Early American Studies
University of Pennsylvania
3355 Woodland Walk
Philadelphia, Pa 19104-4531
Queries can be addressed to the conference organizers, Ned Landsman or Andrew Newman