Lawrence Butler

Dr. Lawrence Butler is an art historian with deep interest and long experience with the Mediterranean world. His training, teaching and research focus on Medieval and Islamic art and cultural history. He has lectured frequently for the Smithsonian Associates on the arts and cultural history of Croatia, Spain, Portugal, Sicily, Morocco, Turkey, and beyond, and has recently served as the expert lecturer on Smithsonian Journeys tours to all of those countries.  

Larry received his BA and MA from Oberlin College and his PhD from the University of Pennsylvania. He is now Associate Professor Emeritus from George Mason University, where he taught from 1989 to 2018. While teaching at George Mason, Larry served as director of the Art History program and as coordinator of the Ancient Mediterranean Art and Archaeology minor. In 2004, Larry was awarded George Mason University’s Teaching Excellence Award and in 2005 he was elected to Phi Beta Delta, the honorary society for international education. He has been a Fulbright Research Fellow in Turkey and has also been an active participant in the Semester at Sea program, taking students on academic study tours around the world.

The Dalmatian coast of Croatia is a familiar and favorite destination of his.  He has sailed and lectured there for Smithsonian Journeys and with Semester at Sea, introducing students and guests to Dubrovnik, Split and other World Heritage sites. He looks forward to sharing his love of ships, cultural history, and the Mediterranean Sea.

Language spoken: English