HLS Library Magna Carta Celebration

Join the HLS Library on Tuesday June 17th, 10am-5pm Eastern time for a virtual Magna Carta Celebration featuring livestreamed panels, debate, and trivia with renowned scholars and special guests. This event is free and will be recorded, tune in for the livestream via the library’s website.

If you, or an event participant, require disability-related accommodations, please contact Accessibility Services at accessibility@law.harvard.edu.  

The day’s events are as follows: 

10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. – Panel discussion regarding the general importance of library digitization and preservation work, featuring: 

• Amanda Watson, Assistant Dean for Library and Information Services, Harvard Law School (moderator) 

• Leah Prescott, Senior Library Administrator/Director, Mystic Seaport Museum; former Associate Director, Harvard Law School Library 

• John Overholt, Curator of the Donald and Mary Hyde Collection of Dr. Samuel Johnson and Early Books and Manuscripts, Harvard University Houghton Library 

• Debora Mayer, Conservator for Analytical Services and Technical Imaging Preservation Services, Harvard University 

11 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Panel discussion regarding the value of an original Magna Carta, featuring:  

• Jonathan Zittrain, George Bemis Professor of International Law and Vice Dean for Library and Information Resources, Harvard Law School (moderator) 

• David Carpenter, Professor of Medieval History, King’s College  

• Nicholas Vincent, Professor of Medieval History, University of East Anglia  

• Charles Donahue, Paul A. Freund Professor of Law, Harvard Law School 

• Elizabeth Papp Kamali, Austin Wakeman Scott Professor of Law, Harvard Law School 

12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. – Break  

2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. – Mock Collegiate Interteam Debate, featuring Mississippi State University, the 2025 Collegiate Debate National Championship winner. Debaters include Hannah Daniels, Ben Harvey, Sam Harvey, and Devin Hutchins. Prompt: The Magna Carta remains a valuable guide for constraining the power of government. 

4 p.m. to 5 p.m. – Magna Carta High School Quiz Show, featuring students from area high schools.