Dr. Daniel Arbino, the Jay I. Kislak Chair and Curator in the Special Collections department at the University of Miami Libraries, has been elected to membership in the American Antiquarian Society (AAS), one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious learned societies.
This recognition marks a historic first for the University of Miami: Arbino is the institution’s inaugural faculty member to receive this honor. He also holds an endowed position through the University’s Centennial 100 Talents initiative, which recruits world-class scholars to elevate research and academic excellence. The endowed chair was established by the Kislak Family Foundation as part of its mission to support leadership and innovation in the fields of education, arts and humanities, animal welfare, and environmental preservation.
Founded in 1812, the American Antiquarian Society is a national research library and scholarly community dedicated to advancing the understanding of American history and culture. Its membership includes Pulitzer Prize winners, U.S. presidents, MacArthur “genius” fellows, and leading historians, librarians, and public intellectuals.
Arbino joins more than 1,100 members from across the United States and several countries. Elected for their scholarly achievements or public impact, AAS members represent a diverse cross-section of those committed to preserving and interpreting the American past.
“This is not only a personal milestone for me but a significant moment for the University community,” Arbino said. “Being welcomed into a society with such a deep commitment to the study of American history and culture affirms the work we’re doing with the Kislak Collection, and it opens new doors for collaboration and visibility.”
Arbino was appointed as the Jay I. Kislak Chair and Curator in 2023. Since then, he has focused on expanding the reach and impact of the Jay I. Kislak Collection of the Early Americas, Exploration and Navigation. The collection and landmark gift bring together rare materials from the pre-Columbian era through the colonial period, offering insight into the intersections of Indigenous cultures, European empires, and early American history.
“The American Antiquarian Society is a magnet for scholars who are deeply interested in the kind of materials we steward in our collections,” he added. “This platform will allow me to advocate for the Kislak Collection and its significance to a wider community of historians, writers, and cultural thinkers.”
Located in Worcester, Massachusetts, AAS holds more than 4 million items dating from before 1900, including books, pamphlets, newspapers, broadsides, manuscripts, children’s literature, music, and graphic arts materials. In 2013, the Society received the National Humanities Medal from President Barack Obama.
“This is a fine recognition of Dr. Arbino’s career and scholarly work, as well as a reflection of his leadership,” commented John V. Lombardi, a widely respected historian of Latin America and former administrator at multiple major universities, who currently serves on the Kislak Family Foundation Board.
For the University of Miami Libraries, Arbino’s election represents a meaningful endorsement of its commitment to cultural preservation and academic research.
“We’re thrilled for Daniel and for what this means to our institution,” said Charles Eckman, dean and University librarian. “His election to AAS is a testament to his dedication and to the impact of the Kislak Collection in reshaping our understanding of the Americas.”
Arbino, who previously served as head of collection development at the University of Texas at Austin’s Nettie Lee Benson Latin American Collection, has long championed access and interdisciplinary research in distinctive collections. His AAS membership furthers that commitment.
“The invitation to join the Society is a tremendous honor,” Arbino said. “It reinforces the value of cultural stewardship and scholarly engagement, both of which are central to the mission of the University of Miami Libraries.”
To learn more about the American Antiquarian Society, visit americanantiquarian.org.
