The Recent brachiopods described herein were collected during dredging operations of several research vessels: the United States R/V Eltanin (alias Islas Orcadas while on loan to Argentina) in Antarctica, in the subantarctic waters of the Atlantic around South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, and in the Scotia Sea; R/V Hero dredging in Antarctic waters; R/V Anton Bruun operating along the west coast of South America; the initial cruises of R/V Rafale and Thierry operating in the Gulf of Guinea off the coast of West Africa. Seventeen genera are described, including 19 species and 10 lots not identified as to species; Pelagodiscus atlanticus (King), Discinisca laevis (Sowerby), Discinisca species, Cryptopora hesperis, new species, the first report of this genus in the northern Pacific, Terebratulina kiiensis Dall and Pilsbry, Terebratulina species, Abyssothyris wyvillei (Davidson), A. cf. elongata Cooper, Abyssothyris? species, Liothyrella delsolari, new species, L. expansa, new species, L. fosteri, new species, L. georgiana Foster, L. hendleri, new species, L. notorcadensis (Jackson), L.? vema Cooper, Platidia species, Argyrotheca species, Megathiris species, Pantellaria monstruosa (Scacchi), Macandrevia americana Dall, Macandrevia species, Notorygmia species, Terebratella? species, Syntomaria curiosa, new genus and species, Dyscritosia secreta, new genus and species, Neothyris parva, new species. The loop development of the new genera is described and illustrated in detail. Most of the localities from which the specimens were taken add geographic and bathymetric information new for these genera.