Fellowship

The John H. Daniels Fellowship supports researchers at the National Sporting Library & Museum (NSLM), a research library and fine arts museum dedicated to preserving, promoting and sharing the literature, art and culture of equestrian, angling and field sports.

Applications Deadline for 2025 Fellowships is October 31, 2024.

The National Sporting Library & Museum (NSLM) in Middleburg, Virginia is recruiting John H. Daniels Fellows for the 2025 calendar year. Ideal candidates possess innovative ideas and groundbreaking perspectives on subjects related to the NSLM mission dedicated to preserving, promoting, and sharing the literature, art, and culture of equestrian, angling, and field sports and commitment to education and advocacy for the conservation of open space and waterways integral to these pursuits. NSLM offers Fellows unlimited access to world-class collections of sporting literature and art, free residency in a fully furnished cottage, and a generous stipend.

The John H. Daniels Fellowship (began in 2007) was established in honor of its namesake, who was an avid sportsman and book collector. Daniels’ sporting library of more than 4,000 titles forms most of the NSLM’s F. Ambrose Clark Rare Book Room’s holdings.

Since the Fellowship program serves to promote awareness of, and innovative, scholarly use of the institution's unique collections focused on equestrian and field sports, applications should include significant connections between the proposed research project and the NSLM’s collections.

All submitted applications with original topics will be considered. Based on institutional need, three rich areas have been identified as prime subjects for re-interpretation:

Conservation – The preservation of land and waterways is a significant aspect of the NSLM mission. At least one Daniels Fellowship will be awarded to a proposal pertaining to the preservation (either historic or contemporary) of land and waterway habitats associated with traditional field sports. The Applicant may choose to focus on—but is not limited to—a particular location, event, or individual involved in the conservation process, or other foundational ideas that further our understanding of the conservation movement.

Edward Troye – At least one Daniels Fellowship will be awarded to an Applicant focusing on Edward Troye (American, born Switzerland, 1808–1874). Applications should include significant connections between the proposed research project and the NSLM’s substantial holdings. Troye-specific holdings include: 5 paintings, 6 drawings, numerous prints, and extensive archival materials. Applicants may select to examine an aspect of Troye’s life, times, and output, or examine his art through a specific lens, such as equine anatomy.

The Compleat Angler – At least one Daniels Fellowship will be awarded to an Applicant focusing on an aspect of Izaak Walton’s masterpiece, The Compleat Angler (first published 1653). In anticipation of a major exhibition spotlighting this text, the NSLM is seeking researchers to analyze, assess, and interpret this literary masterpiece. More than 100 different editions of this text—spanning the course of over 370 years since—can be found on the shelves of the F. Ambrose Clark Rare Book Room and main Library. Applications may focus on a particular copy in the NSLM’s holdings or broader ideas such as a certain theme, a historical time period, the impact—or influence—of the text.

Ideal applications will include a plan for conveying discoveries with the NSLM sporting community and beyond. This platform may come in the form of a publication, educational program, lecture, exhibit, tour, article, and/or book—or a combination thereof.

For more information and to apply please visit: https://form.jotform.com/200295702445148

Application Deadline for 2025 Fellowships is October 31, 2024

Please pass this opportunity along to all interested parties.