Women historians made extraordinary contributions to economic history in the years before the Second World War, but these contributions were largely and almost systematically erased from memory in the post-war era. The career of Florence Edler de Roover (1900-1987), now nearly forgotten like many pioneering women historians of the era, is one such noteworthy case.

Florence, who taught at Agnes Scott College from 1926-29, made groundbreaking scholarly contributions to the burgeoning field of business history. But it is her husband, Raymond de Roover, who is now almost universally-known and widely regarded as a scholar of monumental importance and Florence almost completely forgotten.

Dr. Robert Fredona has uncovered the pathbreaking scholarly work of Florence Edler and is currently completing with Sophus A. Reinert a study of her career and of the origins of Renaissance business history in the US. In his talk, Dr. Fredona will present the unknown and remarkable story of Florence's life and work on the basis of extensive archival work across North America and Europe. Florence Edler de Roover was a trailblazing women historian and, moreover, a Scottie. We have an obligation to not allow this historian and her work to be forgotten.

The event will conclude with the new-members' initiation into Phi Alpha Theta, the American honor society for undergraduate and graduate students and professors of history. Made possible by the James T. and Ella Rather Kirk Fund.

THESE COVID SAFETY PROTOCOLS MUST BE OBSERVED: Off campus guests must provide proof of vaccination + booster upon arrival. Masks are mandatory indoors at all times. KN95 or N95 masks strongly recommended. Campus community members, please bring your ID with you for faster check-in.