“Secrets and knowledge: medicine, science, and commerce 1500-1800” brought together historians, historians of science, and literary scholars from the UK, North America, and Europe to discuss the influence of secrets on medical and scientific developments from the fourteenth to eighteenth centuries. Eleven speakers and six commentators spoke on the importance of secrets and secrecy in the transformation of early modern science and medicine. After a stimulating plenary address from Professor William Eamon (New Mexico State University) and response from Professor David Gentilcore (University of Leicester), five panels addressed various aspects of early modern secrecy: manuscript and print culture; natural philosophy; alchemical secrets; women?s secrets; and secrets in everyday life.  All of the panels engendered engaging discussion, and the focused topic encouraged participants to explain, discuss, and exchange specific findings from their research.