Uppsala University Library Manuscripts and Archives

Overview

The Manuscripts and Archives department of Uppsala University Library is one of Scandinavia's most significant repositories of manuscript and archival materials. Housed primarily at the historic Carolina Rediviva building, the department preserves handwritten documents spanning from the 6th century BC to the present day, encompassing Egyptian papyri, medieval manuscripts, personal archives, and contemporary research collections.

History and Founding

Uppsala University Library was formally established in 1620 by King Gustav II Adolf, who donated his personal book collection as its founding core. The library's roots, however, extend to the founding of Uppsala University in 1477. Over the centuries the collections expanded through royal gifts, war spoils, legal deposit, and major donations from scholars and bibliophiles. The library moved to the Carolina Rediviva building in 1841. The Manuscripts and Archives collections have been gathered over four centuries, making them among the oldest continuously maintained archival holdings in Scandinavia.

Collections and Holdings

The manuscript collections include materials in numerous languages from antiquity to the present. Highlights include the Codex Argenteus (the Silver Bible), a 6th-century Gothic translation written in silver and gold on purple parchment and among the most treasured manuscripts in the world; the 1539 Carta Marina, the first relatively accurate map of the Nordic region; and the Düben music collection (1640–1718) containing important 17th-century compositions. The department also holds author archives, academic papers, student nation archives (documenting student life from the 17th century), and the Waller Collection of letters from notable scientists and physicians. The collections include archives of authors, theologians, historians, politicians, artists, and musicians. Over 300,000 portraits, 10,000 drawings, and thousands of prints and photographs are part of the pictorial collections.

Access and Usage

Materials are accessible in the Special Collections Reading Room at Carolina Rediviva. Many items have been digitized and are available through the Alvin platform, a national Swedish cultural heritage database. Researchers can search holdings through the Library Search Tool, Libris, and Alvin. Appointment is required for access to physical materials; digitization requests can also be submitted. The library accepts donations of manuscripts and archives from individuals and organizations.