The Republic of Letters: a glimpse into the science of past and present

Did you know that scholars in early modern Europe had heated discussions about science by post as early as the sixteenth century? And that it did not matter whether you were a man or a woman, Catholic or Protestant, of nobility or simple lineage?

From the beginning of the sixteenth century, the time of Erasmus and the humanists, until the late eighteenth century, European scholars felt a great interconnectedness. They gave shape to a community of their own: the Republic of Letters.

The Republic of Letters formed an extensive network of educated men and women who were linked by one goal: to promote knowledge and science. This network was open to all and transcended the borders of countries, languages, religions, gender and ranks.

During the Month of History we offer a (Dutch) glimpse into the research of this network and invite interested parties to participate in this scientific research.