Robert Darnton
Robert Darnton
#### Full Name and Common Aliases
Robert Darnton is a renowned American historian, librarian, and scholar who has made significant contributions to the field of book history.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on June 10, 1939, in New York City, USA.
Nationality and Profession(s)
American. Historian, Librarian, Scholar.
Early Life and Background
Darnton's interest in books and reading began at a young age, influenced by his family's love for literature. His father was an editor at the _New Yorker_, which exposed Darnton to various literary styles and genres from an early stage. This exposure laid the foundation for his future academic pursuits.
Major Accomplishments
Darnton has held several prestigious positions throughout his career:
Director of the Harvard University Library (1975-1997)
Carl H. Pforzheimer University Professor at Harvard University (2001-2014)
President of the American Council of Learned Societies (2013-2018)
His research focuses on European history, particularly the 18th and 19th centuries. He has written extensively on topics like censorship, book trade, and intellectual history.
Notable Works or Actions
Some notable works by Darnton include:
_The Business of Enlightenment: A Publishing History of the Encyclopédie, 1775-1800_ (1979)
_Censors in the Archives: An Historical Note on Censorship and Obscenity_ (2000)
_The Case for Books: Past, Present, and Future_ (2009)
He has also been involved in various initiatives aimed at preserving digital archives and promoting access to historical materials.
Impact and Legacy
Darnton's work has had a significant impact on the field of book history. His research on censorship and the book trade has provided valuable insights into the mechanics of information dissemination during the Enlightenment period.
As a librarian, Darnton played a crucial role in shaping the digital landscape of libraries. He advocated for open access to digital archives and supported initiatives like the Google Books project.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Darnton is widely quoted and remembered due to his:
Pioneering work on book history: His research has shed light on the complexities of information dissemination during the Enlightenment period.
Leadership in librarianship: As director of Harvard University Library, he implemented digital initiatives that have set a standard for libraries worldwide.
* Commitment to open access: Darnton's advocacy for accessible digital archives has contributed to the democratization of knowledge.
Quotes by Robert Darnton
It's important to make clear to all the schools at Harvard the central role of the library.
The fact that I spend a lot of time in the 18th century doesn't mean I'm not concerned with the 21st.
The idea of a national digital library has been in the air for a long time, and there was a danger that some people would feel that it's their property, so to speak.
We are living in one of those rare moments in history when things may come apart and be put back together again in ways that will determine the future for decades or more, despite the endless innovations of technology.
While confronting the problems of the present, I often find myself thinking back to the world of books as it was experienced by the Founding Fathers and the philosophers of the Enlightenment.
My work has taken me from historical research to involvement in electronic publishing ventures to the directorship of the Harvard University Libraries.
As president of the American Historical Association, I started a programme to make dissertations into e-books in 1999. Before I knew it, I was involved in other electronic projects. Harvard invited me to become director of the libraries in 2007.
As a graduate student at Oxford in 1963, I began writing about books in revolutionary France, helping to found the discipline of book history. I was in my academic corner writing about Enlightenment ideals when the Internet exploded the world of academic communication in the 1990s.