Marking 150 years of Transactions of the Royal Historical Society, 1872-2022

10 October 2022

In November 2022, we mark the 150th anniversary of the publication of the first volume of the Transactions of the Royal Historical Society. The anniversary will include:

  • online and print publication of the latest (145th) volume of Transactions, with its new format and design.
  • online special issues of Transactions, highlighting developments in the journal from its origin in 1872 to the present day.
  • a free online panel discussion (5pm GMT, Tuesday 6 December) on ‘Futures for the History Journal: reflections and projections’, which is booking now. The panel brings together editors, historians and publishers, from the UK and US, to consider the role and future pf the history journal as a means of scholarly communication.

 

First published in 1872, Transactions is the longest-running English-language academic history journal, predating first publication of the English Historical Review (1886) and the American Historical Review (1895), among other titles.

Since 1872, 144 volumes of Transactions have been published, with the 145th available from mid-November.

 

 

 

 

November 2022 sees important changes to the current Transactions. This year’s volume will come with a new design and paperback format.

It’s also the first in 150 years to include external submissions not previously read to the Society; the first to be edited by historians who are not members of RHS Council; and the first to engage an editorial board.

Journals remain central to the communication of historical research. As a publishing form, they’ve proved remarkably durable, with developments typically taking place within an established framework of article types and formats.

At the same time, the recent history of journals points to quickening and more disruptive change — most notably in terms of online access and publishing models; but also with reference to innovations of form, tone and purpose.

In ‘Futures for the History Journal: Reflections and Projections’ (6 December) our panel and audience will consider the extent, impact and outcomes of these recent changes, together with possible futures for a popular publishing form.