Hannah Morcos

Dr Hannah Morcos is a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the Institute of English Studies, School of Advanced Study, University of London. Her research focuses on the manuscript transmission of medieval French literature and the historical circulation of these manuscripts, with a particular emphasis on the early 20th-century trade in medieval manuscripts in France. She is currently leading research in the CULTIVATE MSS project, examining the development of French national collections and the economic dimensions of manuscript trade during 1890–1945.

Her work integrates digital humanities, having previously developed a digital edition of the Histoire ancienne jusqu'à Cesar and collaborated on tools analyzing manuscript language and traditions. Her research often emphasizes the interplay between scholarly practices, national collecting policies, and market dynamics. Key projects include analyzing the Ashburnham-Barrois sale (1901) and the role of figures like Paul Meyer in shaping France’s cultural heritage.

Her publications explore the economic mechanisms behind manuscript acquisition, the influence of librarians and dealers, and the legacy of early 20th-century collecting practices. She has also examined how national libraries like the Bibliothèque nationale navigated financial and strategic challenges in expanding their collections.