Since its founding, the Institute for Advanced Study has served as a haven for transformative ideas and profound scholarship. Founders Day recognizes Louis Bamberger and Caroline Bamberger Fuld, the sibling philanthropists who founded and endowed IAS on May 20, 1930, providing for its lasting and essential independence. Each May, the Institute celebrates their vision and that of its donors, Faculty, Board, scholars, and staff, who together ensure that the work of the Institute is as vital today as it ever has been.

Founders Day kicks off at 1:00 p.m. The schedule of activities is as follows:

1:30 p.m.  Books in Brief 
Rubenstein Commons 

Connect with IAS scholars past and present to hear about their latest publications in short, ten-minute book talks. A meet and greet with scholar authors will begin at 1:00 p.m. and a book signing will follow.

Elizabeth B. Bearden, Felix Gilbert Member (2022–23) in the School of Historical Studies - Crip Authority: Disability and the Art of Consolation in the Renaissance

Keisha N. Blain, Friends of the Institute for Advanced Study Member (2021–22) in the School of Social Science - Without Fear: Black Women and the Making of Human Rights

Pablo J. Boczkowski, Member (2023–24) in the School of Social Science - The Patina of Distrust: What People Do with Misinformation

Christopher J. Bonura, Member (2022–23) in the School of Historical Studies - A Prophecy of Empire: The Apocalypse of Pseudo-Methodius from Late Antique Mesopotamia to the Global Medieval Imagination

Emilie Connolly, Member (2024–25) in the School of Historical Studies - Vested Interests: Trusteeship and Native Dispossession in the United States

Margaret S. Graves, Agnes Gund and Daniel Shapiro Member in the School of Historical Studies - Invisible Hands: Fabrication, Forgery, and the Art of Islamic Ceramics

Anne E. Lester, Member (2012) and Visitor (2014, 2024–25) in the School of Historical Studies - A Crusader's Death and Life in Acre: The 1266 Account-Inventory of Eudes of Nevers

3:00 p.m.  Afternoon Tea with Registry Signing
Fuld Hall Common Room

Gather for the Institute’s traditional daily teatime, featuring a special archival exhibit of past IAS registries. Members are also invited to sign the current IAS registry.

4:00 p.m.  The Carnival of the Animals
Dilworth Room

Families are invited to enjoy French composer Camille Saint-Saëns's The Carnival of the Animals, a 14-movement musical suite composed in 1886 as a humorous zoological fantasy. The program will be performed by pianists Nathaniel Maxwell and TianYi Li.

5:00 p.m.  Mathematical Folklore: Public Conversation with Institute Scholars
Wolfensohn Hall

Hear four IAS scholars—Govind Menon, Erik Ellentuck Fellow in the School of Mathematics; Alma Steingart, Robbert Dijkgraaf Member in the School of Social Science; Karen Uhlenbeck, Distinguished Visiting Professor in the School of Mathematics; and Akshay Venkatesh, Robert & Luisa Fernholz Professor in the School—discuss their efforts to reconnect scholars with the mathematical culture of centuries past.  

For a sneak preview of the Mathematical Folklore Project, watch Menon's video from the Institute Instances series. 

6:00 p.m.  Community Dinner Party 
Rubenstein Commons

Bring Founders Day to a close with live music, food, and drinks.

Celebrations conclude at 8:00 p.m. Families are welcome.
 

This event is for the Institute community and Friends, and is therefore not open to the public.