The International Seminar on the History of the Atlantic World was established at Harvard University in 1995 by Professor Bernard Bailyn, under the auspices of the Charles Warren Center for Studies in American History and with the support of a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Its purpose from the start has been to advance the scholarship of young historians of many nations interested in the common, comparative, and interactive aspects of the lives of the peoples in the lands that form the Atlantic basin, mainly in the early modern period; to contribute to the study of this large transnational historical subject; and to help create an international community of scholars familiar with approaches, archives, and intellectual traditions different from their own.

While the Atlantic History Seminar's flagship event is its annual Seminar, one and two- day Workshops and Conferences have also been a large part of the program. The Atlantic History Seminar has also provided funding for Short Term Research Grants.

The annual Seminar meets for 10-12 days, usually in early August. The specific theme of the Seminar changes each year. Participants, for whom travel and accommodation are provided, must be recent recipients of the Ph.D. or its equivalent or advanced doctoral students engaged in creative research on aspects of Atlantic history. Members of the Seminar are drawn from the nations of Western Europe, Africa, and Latin America, joined by U.S. and Canadian scholars who are also at an early stage of their careers, for presentation of work in progress, discussions of the theme of the Seminar, and exchange of views with senior scholars. The papers presented at the Seminar are available as Working Papers.

In 1996-97, the Seminar began a series of weekend Workshops and Conferences focused on resources in Atlantic history. These events, which are held at Harvard once each semester, usually in November and April, are open to any interested members of the academic community. Travel and accommodation expenses are the responsibility of participants.

The Seminar also sponsors short-term grants to encourage comparative research in Atlantic history topics.

Emily LeBaron is the program administrator.

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