January 1, 2009 Library of Congress To Hold International Symposium "Exploring Waldseemuller's World," May 14 and 15

Scholars to Discuss 1507 World Map; History of Exploration; 16th-Century Cartography

Press Contact: Donna Urschel (202) 707-1639

WHAT: An international symposium titled “Exploring Waldseemüller’s World,” which will examine Martin Waldseemüller’s cartographic vision and address the complex historical and philosophical questions raised by the publication of the 1507 map. WHO: Scholars and experts, including Owen Gingerich, Harvard University; Richard Kagan, Johns Hopkins University; Alison Sandman, James Madison University; Ricardo Padrón, University of Virginia; Rita Costa-Gomes, Towson University; Ernesto Fernandez-Armesto, Tufts University; Nicolás Wey Gomez, Brown University, Chet van Duzer, UCLA; Christine Johnson, Washington University; John Hébert, chief of the Geography and Map Division at the Library of Congress; and John Hessler, senior reference librarian in the Geography and Map Division. WHEN: A two-day event, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 14, and from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, May 15. The symposium is free and open to the public. Reservations, however, will be needed. The Library of Congress will start taking reservations from the public in February via the Library’s Web site, www.loc.gov. WHERE: At the Library of Congress in the Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First Street S.E., Washington, D.C.

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PR 09-01
2009-01-02
ISSN 0731-3527