The family of the late Michael J. B. Allen, a distinguished scholar of English literature and the Italian Renaissance at UCLA, formally donated a collection of 55 volumes of Allen’s personal book collection to the Fresno State Library on Monday, Oct. 5, at a special ceremony and book viewing in the Table Mountain Rancheria Reading Room. Allen’s son, Sen. Ben Allen, was joined by his mother, Elena Allen and family at the event.
Sen. Ben Allen serves the 24th Senate District covering the Malibu, Hollywood, Santa Monica and Torrance areas of Los Angeles County.
Michael J. B. Allen was an internationally recognized authority on Renaissance Platonism – a 15th-century intellectual movement that revived the philosophies of Plato, blending ancient Greek thought with Christian theology, particularly the work of Marsilio Ficino. Allen passed away in 2023 at age 81. The portion of his working library being donated includes 50 distinct titles. The specialized collection in Italian Renaissance and early modern intellectual history includes a particular concentration on Giordano Bruno, Tommaso Campanella, Giambattista Vico, Gerolamo Cardano, Pietro Pomponazzi, Leon Battista Alberti and related philosophical and historical subjects.
The books will contribute to the continued development of the Italian studies program at Fresno State, and will support interdisciplinary humanities research involving philosophy, history, art history and more. The gift will preserve part of Michael J. B. Allen’s scholarly legacy for future generations of students and researchers.
