SE Valley Times

James Russell, an adjunct faculty member in history at Rio Salado College, has realized a dream shared by many scholars by researching at the Vatican Library. His work involves examining the marginalia of Fabio Chigi, also known as Pope Alexander VII, in a renowned allegorical text. Russell's findings were published in volume 11 of CERÆ: An Australasian Journal of Medieval and Early Modern Studies, in a paper titled “The Marginalia of Pope Alexander VII in a Vatican Copy of the Hypnerotomachia Poliphili.”

Russell explains that marginalia, which refers to marks made in the margins of books, can provide significant insights into the culture of the era. His research suggests that Pope Alexander VII's marginalia were a source of inspiration for the Baroque monuments and architectural projects he commissioned in Rome. The article compares the Pope's interaction with the text to the esoteric principle of "As above, so below," highlighting the influence of texts on broader cultural and architectural transformations.

Russell's interest in marginalia and incunabula (early printed books) is not new. He notes, “My research interests are in the history of books and of reading, with a concentration on the early days of print in Europe.” Russell's fascination with ancient tomes, fostered by films like The Neverending Story and The Lord of the Rings, has driven his career.

Highlighting the parallels between early printing and today's technologies, Russell adds, “The printing press made it possible to circulate new ideas more rapidly than ever before, resulting in major changes to society, as we see today with smartphones and AI.” Recognizing the immediate responses and interpretations captured in marginalia, he draws a comparison to social media platforms like Bluesky.

Russell, a scholar with a background in Medieval and Renaissance literature and history, has taught at Rio Salado since 2018. He appreciates the dynamics of classroom communication, stating, “I really enjoy talking about interesting topics with interesting people such as Rio's students.”

He advocates for dual enrollment, recalling its benefits during his early education and expressing his desire to make early college credit more accessible. Addressing the value of humanities studies, Russell emphasizes, “Courses in the humanities can be as vital to your career training as more technically-oriented classes.” He outlines the skills gained through these courses, including analysis, critical thinking, and intercultural understanding, emphasizing their role in providing "beauty, depth, and meaning" to life.