The North American Society for Seventeenth-Century French Literature is the outgrowth of the Conference on Seventeenth-Century French Literature held originally at the University of Iowa in 1969 under the direction of Richard F. O'Gorman.
Subsequent meetings have been held annually, with one or two exceptions.
Professor Bryant C. Freeman continued, reminding participants of the 1975 conference of the purpose of NASSCFL:
"The purpose of this Society is to group those deeply interested in the literature of seventeenth-century France in a relaxed atmosphere more conducive to scholarly exchange than that usually found in a national or regional meeting. Its aims are fostered by combining formal talks given by colleagues from North America and abroad with informal discussions among scholars. We hope that the Seventh Conference will cultivate this spirit." (University of Kansas, 1975).
In 2016, the NASSCFL will host its 46th annual international conference, and its 47 years of fostering outstanding international scholarship in seventeenth-century French literature and culture.