• Regions: Europe; Mediterranean; Middle East
• Times: 14th to 19th centuries
• Themes: Jewish Art & Visual Culture; Jewish History; History of the Book; History of Art and Architecture

Deborah B. Thompson is a PhD student studying Jewish History in the department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations at Harvard. She focuses on the History of the Book, specifically the transition from manuscript to print in Jewish contexts. A museum professional whose experience includes curating, collections management, and museum education, Deborah approaches her research through interdisciplinary materiality. In addition to her academic pursuits, Deborah is a trained book conservator, book binder, printer, and artist. She currently leads letterpress printing workshops at Harvard’s Houghton Library. Deborah graduated summa cum laude with a BA in Art History and Near Eastern & Judaic Studies from Brandeis University. She earned her MA in Jewish Art & Visual Culture from the Jewish Theological Seminary.