North American Conference on British Studies records

The North American Conference on British Studies (NACBS) is a scholarly society dedicated to all aspects of the study of British civilization. The NACBS sponsors a scholarly journal (and other, online publications), an annual conference, as well as several academic prizes, graduate fellowships, and undergraduate essay contests. While the largest single group of its members teach British history in colleges and universities in the United States and Canada, the NACBS has significant representation among specialists in literature, art history, politics, law, sociology, and economics. Its membership also includes many teachers at universities in countries outside North America, secondary school teachers, and independent scholars.

Founded in 1950, the NACBS was known in its early years simply as the Conference on British Studies(CBS). The conference became affiliated with the American Historical Association(AHA) in 1952, and was incorporated under the laws of the State of New York in 1965. It adopted its current name in 1980. The NACBS is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt organization and may accept gifts to endowment or for other purposes. The Conference is the principal scholarly organization in North America in the field of British studies. It has close ties with the Institute of Historical Research at the University of London, the Royal Historical Society, the Historical Association of Great Britain, and other learned societies, libraries, and institutions.