About
The Centre for Reformation and Renaissance Studies (CRRS) at Victoria University in the University of Toronto is a research and teaching centre with a library devoted to the study of the period from approximately 1350 to 1700.
CRRS Hours
The CRRS is currently open only for use of the CRRS library collection, Monday-Friday 9 AM – 5 PM. Our capacity is limited to 2 patrons at a time.
Note that Pratt Library–and therefore the CRRS–continues to implement physical distancing and a mask mandate. Pratt Library hours and relevant information are available on the Pratt Library information page here.
Those interested in rare book consultation should request a rare book and viewing time in advance through our website form here.
About the Centre
The CRRS supervises an undergraduate program in Renaissance Studies, organizes lectures and seminars, and maintains an active series of publications. The Centre’s collection of early editions of Erasmus in one of the strongest in the world. The library also holds a large non-circulating collection of important modern publications in most areas of early modern studies, and its fellows also have access to the extensive resources of University of Toronto library system more broadly.
The CRRS is a quiet and comfortable working space, overlooking the beautiful quad of Victoria College in the University of Toronto, an ideal venue for research and writing. There are approximately eighty full-time faculty at the University of Toronto who study aspects of early modern culture in a wide variety of disciplines; the CRRS encourages contact with professors and graduate students through a yearly series of workshops, distinguished visiting speakers, and international conferences.
 | The CRRS Library Collection of rare and modern books is devoted exclusively to the Renaissance and Reformation periods. The Centre’s modern collection includes specialized bibliographies and reference sources, critical editions, and an array of monographs and journals. |
 | The Centre’s Rare Books collection includes a significant number 16th and 17th century of humanist editions of the classics as well as works in history, religion, theology, philosophy, language, and literature. For more on the CRRS rare book holdings visit our rare book page. |
 | One of the highlights of the CRRS library is its internationally renowned Erasmus collection, dedicated to the study of the great Dutch humanist Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam (1466-1536) comprised of modern editions and monographs as well as 16th and 17th century editions of works written or edited by Erasmus, many of them with extensive annotations written in contemporary bookhands. |
 | The CRRS is a locus of an academic community centered around interdisciplinary interests in the early modern period, boasting a rich calendar of academic events, including lecture series by visiting international scholars, concerts of early modern music, interdisciplinary and international conferences and colloquia workshops as well as a lively graduate forum |
 | The CRRS also publishes academic book series in the field of Renaissance and Reformation Studies. These include: Essays & Studies, Texts in Translation, and a new series, Early Modern Cultural Studies among others. |
 | The CRRS also supervises the undergraduate program in Renaissance Studies at Victoria College, which offers Specialist, Major and Minor status, and offers support to the Association of Renaissance Students. |
 | The Centre also offers fellowships student employment, and volunteer opportunities to graduate and undergraduate students. |
The CRRS is part of Victoria College and is governed, under the leadership of its Director, by faculty committees linked to each other in the Centre’s activities: library collections, academic programs, early modern programs, and scholarly publications.
To contact Staff at the CRRS, please visit our Contact Information page.
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