A New Digital Prosopography: The Medieval Londoners Database

Authors

Maryanne Kowaleski, Fordham UniversityFollow

Abstract

Digital prosopography differs from other prosopographies because it is public-facing, accessible online via multiple entry points, offers a variety of analytic paths to pose new questions, and requires more conscious collaboration between humanists and IT specialists. These advantages are counterbalanced by higher financial costs stemming largely from the more intensive and specialized input of labor required. This article offers a non-technical introduction to a new digital prosopography called Medieval Londoners, which was designed to lessen labor and financial costs by employing the linked-data digital platform OmekaS and by adapting a modified form of the factoid conceptual approach in its database design. The resulting digital project takes some shortcuts, but without undue negative effects on user experience. By providing training in the digital humanities for its cataloguers and editors as well as resources on medieval London for students and teachers, the pedagogical goals of the project have also helped us pursue the innovative technologies and collaborative framework of established digital prosopography projects.

Recommended Citation

Kowaleski, Maryanne (2021) "A New Digital Prosopography: The Medieval Londoners Database," Medieval People: Vol. 36: Iss. 1, Article 13.
Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/medpros/vol36/iss1/13