The Italian Academies 1530-1650: a themed collection database

The project promotes and facilitates research on the Italian learned Academies of the late Renaissance and early modern periods and their relationship to book production, printing and publishing in this period. The precise aim is to compile a comprehensive database of information relating to the membership and activities of Academies in Bologna, Naples, Padua and Siena and their links to the book trade as represented in the holdings of the British Library.
The database is designed and developed as one of the BL Themed Collections series. By adding details not currently contained systematically in the BL catalogues, the project also contributes to enhancing the BL on-line facilities, and promotes user access to material which is currently difficult to locate.
The database lists information relating to members of academies, the cultural interests and activities of Academies, works published by academicians, under the auspices of Academies, dedicated to/by members of academies, nicknames, emblems, mottoes.
The database is searchable both through a keyword simple search and through an advanced search based on specific fields. Digitised images of illustrations and emblems in relevant items are also included.