The American Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies, established in 1969, is the foremost learned society in the United States for the study of all aspects of the period from the later seventeenth through the early nineteenth century.
“Repose in a Park.” Jean-Baptiste Joseph Pater, c. 1730. Oil on canvas, 21 1/2 x 25 7/8 in. Saint Louis Art Museum
Annual Meeting News
The Call for Proposals for the 56th Annual Meeting, April 9-11, 2026, in Philadelphia, is open! More information here!
Image credit: Robert Indiana’s LOVE sculpture in John F. Kennedy Plaza. Photo by K. Huff for PHLCVB
ASECS is a member of a number of associations devoted to supporting and advocating for the humanities. Read more on the News and Updates page.
The International Herder Society is holding its Biannual Conference September 4-7, 2025 in Toronto, Canada. International Herder Society Biannual Conference Toronto, Canada 4–7 September, 20…
Read MoreASECS member Ruth Perry has published The Ballad World of Anna Gordon, Mrs. Brown of Falkland. Twelve sung ballads were recorded to go with the book and they can be heard on a companion website …
Read MoreThe following email was sent to members June 26, 2025. Dear ASECS members, It has been a wonderful honor to serve as your President this year. As I prepare to welcome the incoming President and …
Read MoreASECS is pleased to share news of interest to members. Send requests to post items of relevance to the Business Office (office@asecs.org) for consideration. All announcement decisions are final.
ASECS publishes two scholarly journals. Eighteenth-Century Studies (ECS) is published quarterly. Studies in Eighteenth-Century Culture (SECC) is published annually. We also publish a News Circular, which appears three times each year.
ASECS promotes the study and teaching of the long eighteenth century through diverse networks at membership, society, and international levels. Learn more about engaging with other members and partners to identify and support our mission and the field with caucuses, affiliates, and coalition partners.
The Center for Eighteenth-Century-Studies has hosted a Spring Workshop every year (excepting 2020) since 2002. The typical format consists of intense discussion of pre-circulated papers and an occasional lecture, interspersed with ample opportunities for socializing and refreshment. We typically cover travel costs for all participants, who are selected by an interdisciplinary committee of scholars.
In most years the theme for the Spring Workshop is announced in autumn of the previous year. Proposals for papers and contributions are due in January. Please do visit our online open-access journal, The Workshop, for a selection of abstracts and comments from previous Spring Workshops.
This year’s Workshop, on the theme “Eighteenth-Century Afterlives,” will take place on May 15-17.
ASECS is pleased to offer members a number of resources on research and teaching, events, grants and fellowships, and member support.
Quapaw Culture (Arkansas/Midsouth), Spouted Vessel with Painted Motifs,
ca.1500–1700 (maybe 1600). Saint Louis Art Museum
