About Us
Membership in the Society is open to anyone interested in issues related to the thought and character of William James, and joins you to a growing community of scholars and others with related academic interests.
The William James Society (WJS) is a multidisciplinary professional society which supports the study of, and communication about, the life and work of William James (1842-1910) and his ongoing influence in the many fields to which he contributed.
The William James Society was founded in 1999 by Randall Albright and quickly grew to include members from across the USA and around the world. In 2001, the Society ratified an organizational constitution, held its first annual meeting, and elected executive offices. For many years, WJS published the in-house newsletter and scholarly outlet Streams of William James. In 2006, the society shifted gears and began publishing the academic, peer reviewed, online journal William James Studies.
Joining the Society helps to fund the following:
- The offering of the annual WJS YOUNG SCHOLAR PRIZE.
- Co-hosting academic panels at:
- The American Philosophical Association
- The American Academy of Religion
- Society for the Advancement of Philosophy
- European Pragmatism Conference
- Making and making freely available our online journal: William James Studies.
If you are also interested in the life and work of William James, we hope that you will consider joining us in our endeavors.
GENERAL SOCIETY INFORMATION
The Society executive committee generally follows this schedule of meetings:
February to bring in any new members;
May to discuss the submissions for the William James Prize;
August to establish WJS panels at Society for the Advancement of American Philosophy (SAAP);
November to get nominations for new WJS terms.
The William James Society has a dedicated session at the Society for the Advancement of American Philosophy conference in March every other year. It is customary to have the current President give an address one time during their two-year term at the SAAP meeting. The Secretary often is the chair and organizer of this session.