Elizabeth A. R. Brown Archivist

The Elizabeth A. R. Brown Archivist position was established in 2025 through a bequest from the late historian Elizabeth A. R. Brown, alongside the gift of her professional papers. Brown was an eminent medieval scholar best known for refuting the existence of feudalism, a position which sparked lively debate and controversy in the field.

The Elizabeth A. R. Brown Archivist manages the Medieval Historians Archive, which seeks to preserve the professional papers of prominent medievalists. This is an important new collecting area that will complement the Libraries’ existing collections of medieval manuscripts. The Elizabeth A. R. Brown Archivist also chairs the Medieval Historians Advisory Committee, a group that includes medievalists from Penn and beyond.

Learn more about Meg Phillips, the inaugural Elizabeth A. R. Brown Archivist.