This session will celebrate the life and work of renowned Hispanist George Ticknor (1791-1871), as well as his scholarly legacy. His love for classical and modern languages started at Dartmouth in 1805-07 and, after travelling to France, Spain and Portugal, he returned to the US to become the first Professor of French and Spanish at Harvard College in 1819. Ticknor greatly contributed to strengthening the study of modern languages and literatures in the US and was a prominent figure in the cultural scene of his native Boston, helping to establish the Boston Public Library by donating his impressive collection of Spanish and Portuguese books. He influenced important figures such as H.W. Longfellow and W. H. Prescott, and maintained productive relationships with major political and intellectual contemporaries, such as Thomas Jefferson, Daniel Webster, Walter Scott, and Pascual de Gayangos.
José Manuel del Pino is Dartmouth Professor of Spanish at Dartmouth College, specializing in modern and contemporary literature and culture of Spain, particularly the avant-garde of the 1920s and 30s, as well as hispanismo and the cultural intersections of Spain and the United States. Prof. del Pino will examine the cultural significance of George Ticknor’s contribution to Hispanic Studies and his legacy for the 21st century. Rolena Adorno is Sterling Professor of Spanish at Yale University. She is the 7th recipient of the MLA Award for Lifetime Scholarly Achievement, the only awardee to date specializing in Spanish-language literatures, and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Prof. Adorno will discuss Ticknor’s relationship with Thomas Jefferson on the topics of books and learning.
Photo gallery: https://cervantesobservatorio.fas.harvard.edu/en/galleries/photos/george-ticknor-and-his-contribution-hispanism