New Books in Critical Theory Robert G. Morrison, "Merchants of Knowledge: Intellectual Exchange in the Ottoman Empire and Renaissance Europe" (Stanford UP, 2025)
Jul 10, 2025
In this conversation, Robert G. Morrison, Professor of History of Science at Bowdoin College, sheds light on his book about the vibrant intellectual exchanges between the Ottoman Empire and Renaissance Europe. He reveals how multilingual Jewish scholars acted as crucial intermediaries, facilitating the flow of knowledge in astronomy, astrology, and philosophy. Morrison discusses the economic value of manuscripts and how this transactional exchange shaped scientific and cultural advancements, creating a rich tapestry of diverse Renaissance thought.
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Focus on Jewish Scholarly Intermediaries
- Jewish scholar intermediaries were key in East-West knowledge exchange, but not the only ones.
- The book focuses on Jewish networks revealed through research on Moses Galeano's contacts.
Manuscripts as Valuable Commodities
- Manuscripts and books were valuable commodities in Renaissance trade networks.
- Jewish merchant families sold Hebrew manuscripts extensively, contributing to major library collections like the Vatican's.
Romaniote Jews and Philosophy
- Romaniote Jews' intellectual life valued philosophy and authors like Abraham Ibn Ezra.
- Ibn Ezra's philosophical and astrological writings deeply influenced these Jewish scholarly traditions.