Internship

Frederick Douglass Papers Internship Opportunities

The University of Rochester's Rare Books and Special Collections holds a large and important collection of Frederick Douglass’ primary source materials: correspondence, photographs, memorabilia, and copies of his newspapers.

In conjunction with the Frederick Douglass Institute and Department of Black Studies, these internships are being offered with the larger goal of creating a digital collection of Douglass materials to:

  • Facilitate scholarly and public access to the life, ideas, and times of Douglass
  • Broaden awareness of Douglass and his influence on Rochester and the nation
  • Have a positive impact on the advancement of research and scholarship

Students have the opportunity to study the correspondence, transcribe the texts, provide editorial comment, and/or:

  • Provide annotations on the relationship between Douglass and his correspondents
  • Digitize the materials and learn about the electronic editing of texts
  • Assist in building and designing the website
  • Write essays setting the materials in the context of the events of the period
  • Prepare exhibits using the original materials

Credit and Supervision

Internships and independent study opportunities usually carry four credits and are taken along with three other courses as part of a normal student's schedule.

A full-time faculty member will supervise the academic component of the internship, but the exact nature of the work with the Douglass materials will be determined by the faculty sponsor, a supervisory member of the Rare Books Library, and the student.

Contact

For additional information, contact:

Frederick Douglass Institute and Department of Black Studies

Matthew Omelsky
Department of English
Morey 417
(585) 275-2376
matthew.omelsky@rochester.edu

University of Rochester's Rare Books and Special Collections

Richard Peek
rpeek@library.rochester.edu 
(585) 275-9335