Harry Potter’s World: Renaissance Science, Magic, and Medicine

Main Library, 300 N. Roxboro St. (Third floor)
September 2 – October 2

Durham County Library is one of twelve libraries nationwide to receive this traveling, six-banner exhibition created to explore the link between Harry Potter and the history of science. Using materials from the National Library of Medicine’s History of Medicine collections, the exhibition explores Harry Potter’s world, its roots in Renaissance science and the ethical questions that affected not only the wizards in J.K. Rowling’s books, but also the historical thinkers featured in the series. Featuring fifteenth- and sixteenth-century views of the world and its creatures taken from the works of the period’s leading thinkers, alchemists, naturalists and occultists, the exhibition panels explore the intersection between the Harry Potter novels and Renaissance thinkers, lore, and practices.

Harry Potter’s World: Renaissance Science, Magic, and Medicine, a traveling exhibition for libraries, was organized by the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland. The exhibition tour is coordinated by the American Library Association Public Programs Office, Chicago.

"Things Most Strange and Wondrous:" Medicine in the Renaissance

To enrich your experience of Harry Potter’s World, please join us for a fascinating talk by Dr. Thomas Robisheaux.
Sunday, September 6 at 3:00 pm
Main Library, 300 N. Roxboro St.

The Renaissance was a time of great change in the study of medicine. Many physicians and scholars began to scientifically research human anatomy, improve and develop medicines and modernize surgical procedures. Magic still informed medical theories and practices, however, and wonder and awe about marvelous creatures and plants guided many as they made new discoveries about nature. In conjunction with the special exhibition, Harry Potter’s World, Dr. Thomas Robisheaux, professor of History at Duke University, will discuss how Renaissance thinkers helped transform medieval medical beliefs and create the foundations of modern medical practice.

Last Update: August 3, 2009