About
In Rome, discussing a very excellent gelato.
I am Ada Palmer, an historian, writer, and composer, and a professor in the History Department at the University of Chicago. (Contact by e-mail) I study heterodoxy, heresy, freethought, the recovery of classical thought after the Middle Ages, its impact on science, religion and atheism, and the history of the book and printing. My focus on the Renaissance frequently takes me to Rome, Florence and around Europe. I often do research at rare books libraries like the Vatican.
I also write science fiction and fantasy. My first novel Too Like the Lightning, the beginning of the four volume science fiction series Terra Ignota, is coming out from Tor Books May 10th 2016 (you can pre-order it from Powell’s, Amazon or find local independent bookshops through Indiebound). I blog about books, comics, history and culture for Tor.com.
I also compose SF, fantasy and mythology-themed music, and perform with the a cappella group Sassafrass. My latest project is a Norse mythology song cycle, Sundown: Whispers of Ragnarok. I am active in the science-fiction, fantasy, and anime fan communities, and frequently attend or staff conventions (especially Anime Boston and Vericon). And I study anime and manga, have published articles on Japanese pop culture, founded TezukaInEnglish.com, and do consulting work for publishers including ADV, FUNimation, and Tezuka Productions.
For more information about my activities and publications, please visit AdaPalmer.com
Spring Marzipan in Bergamo. Because my dissertation adviser says one should always choose what to study based on the cuisine of the region where the sources are.
“Ex Urbe” means “from the city”, and in the ancient world and the Renaissance, signing a letter “Ex Urbe” meant it was sent from Rome. While I am not always in Rome, for me “Ex Urbe” means that I am always writing in the cultural vein which emerged from Rome’s long history. Whether I’m discussing the scandals of the Borgia popes, fragments of Greek mystery cults preserved by Roman followers, or the hazards of the Italian post office, it’s all “from the city.” This is in some ways a travel blog, mixing my adventures from research trips with historical tidbits, plus photos, restaurant and museum reviews, and recipes, and occasional fun fantasy & science fiction things. But most of the content concentrates on history and philosophy, and examining the interaction between events and ideas, which has always been what most excites me about my work as an historian. For me, Ex Urbe is a way of sharing the exciting ideas and discoveries I encounter in my research and teaching, but in an open forum, free from the constraints and slow time table of academic publishing.
My Assistant Mack:
In 2015, a new and excellent assistant, Mack Muldofsky, joined me on Ex Urbe (and in many aspects of my work) as an editor, researcher, web helper, and occasional blog contributor.
Earlier, in 2012-2013, another good friend, Carl Engle-Laird, helped me on Ex Urbe doing editing, research & web support. He has moved on to editing genre fiction for Tor.com, but was a great help while we worked together, and his touch is still on the site here and there.
A Note on Comment Decorum:
Comments are great and I always look forward to them. That said, this is a public blog, and I want to keep it a friendly space for all comers. I post nothing here that I wouldn’t be comfortable having read by my friends, students, colleagues, and publishers. I appreciate it when commentators exercise comparable restraint, avoid aggressive behavior, and confine private things to private spaces. Thank you.
Print 
PDF
