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Dr Nil Palabiyik, MA (York), PhD (London)

Nil

Lecturer in Medieval and Early Modern Studies

Email: n.palabiyik@qmul.ac.uk

Profile

I grew up in Turkey in what was then a small seaside town on the Mediterranean coast. Like the itinerant historical figures I studied, academic life took me to many places. I began my studies in Istanbul, then came to the UK to read English at York. It was there that my interest in medieval manuscripts and early printed books began. I still get excited when catch sight (and smell) of a vellum binding with the anticipation of a new discovery.

After a short stint in the publishing industry in London, I taught Renaissance literature at an American Studies department in Istanbul. In 2014, I completed my PhD on early modern printing at the Hellenic Institute of Royal Holloway, University of London. My doctoral thesis examined the first Greek books published in the Ottoman Empire by a monk and scholar who commenced his publishing activity in London in the 1620s. My investigations at the local archives in Cephalonia, Athens, London, and Istanbul triggered a reappraisal of Metaxas’ role as an editor and publisher.

My love of old books and archives led to extended stays at the finest libraries in Europe and fellowships at the John Rylands Research Institute (Manchester), the Scaliger Institute (Leiden), and the Herzog August Library (Wolfenbüttel).

I was Humboldt Fellow at Middle Eastern Studies Institute of LMU Munich and worked at the History department of University of Manchester before joining Queen Mary in 2021.

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