Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1951-1993 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
5 boxes
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
The Institute of Germanic Studies was founded in 1950. The Institute is primarily a research institute, serving the needs of postgraduate students and scholars from the United Kingdom and abroad. The Institute has a wide-ranging publishing programme, including monographs, volumes of essays, conference proceedings, dissertations and bibliographies. Its programme of activities comprises lectures by guest speakers, symposia on particular authors and/or topics, readings by visiting writers, reading workshops, and colloquia for postgraduate students. The Institute also hosts the intercollegiate course leading to the MA degree in German of the University of London.
The Institute's Library holds over 87,000 volumes (nearly 500 current periodicals). It is widely recognised as the principal research collection for German in the University of London, and is the largest of its kind not only in the United Kingdom, but indeed anywhere outside the German-speaking countries. The reference collection covers the language and literature of all periods, with outstanding holdings of journals, reference works, and contemporary writing. Its book collection starts with the printed works of the late fifteenth century and comes right up to the present, whilst its extensive manuscript and archive holdings (many of which remain unknown and unpublished) range from the mid-ninth century to contemporary poetry.
The Research Centre for German Exile Studies was established at the IGS in 1995, when the Institute offered a home to this new organisation, which combined the former London Research Group for German Exile Studies and the Research Centre for Germans and Austrians in Great Britain, previously at the University of Aberdeen. The work of the Centre focuses on the history of those German-speaking emigrés who found refuge in Great Britain, on their personal recollections and experiences, their reception in British society, and their enrichment of the life of their new country of residence in such varied spheres as the professions, industry and commerce, literature, art and culture, politics, publishing, the media, and the world of entertainment and leisure.
Archival history
GB 0367 IGS 1951-1993 Collection (Fonds) 5 boxes Institute of Germanic Studies
The Institute of Germanic Studies was founded in 1950. The Institute is primarily a research institute, serving the needs of postgraduate students and scholars from the United Kingdom and abroad. The Institute has a wide-ranging publishing programme, including monographs, volumes of essays, conference proceedings, dissertations and bibliographies. Its programme of activities comprises lectures by guest speakers, symposia on particular authors and/or topics, readings by visiting writers, reading workshops, and colloquia for postgraduate students. The Institute also hosts the intercollegiate course leading to the MA degree in German of the University of London.
The Institute's Library holds over 87,000 volumes (nearly 500 current periodicals). It is widely recognised as the principal research collection for German in the University of London, and is the largest of its kind not only in the United Kingdom, but indeed anywhere outside the German-speaking countries. The reference collection covers the language and literature of all periods, with outstanding holdings of journals, reference works, and contemporary writing. Its book collection starts with the printed works of the late fifteenth century and comes right up to the present, whilst its extensive manuscript and archive holdings (many of which remain unknown and unpublished) range from the mid-ninth century to contemporary poetry.
The Research Centre for German Exile Studies was established at the IGS in 1995, when the Institute offered a home to this new organisation, which combined the former London Research Group for German Exile Studies and the Research Centre for Germans and Austrians in Great Britain, previously at the University of Aberdeen. The work of the Centre focuses on the history of those German-speaking emigrés who found refuge in Great Britain, on their personal recollections and experiences, their reception in British society, and their enrichment of the life of their new country of residence in such varied spheres as the professions, industry and commerce, literature, art and culture, politics, publishing, the media, and the world of entertainment and leisure.
The papers were generated and retained by the IGS
Papers of the Institute of Germanic Studies (IGS), 1951-1995, including
Papers, 1951-1961 on repair of war damage and the conversion of 29 Russell Square for the IGS, including plans, correspondence with Surveyors, schedule of work, application for award under National Building Programme, tenders, and contact with the builders;
Papers on production of a "Union List" of periodicals dealing with Germanic languages and literatures in the University Library and libraries of the Colleges and Institutes of the University of London, 1956;
Minutes, correspondence and papers on the Medieval Studies Group project to compile a bibliography and commentary of Wolfram von Eschenbach, 1961-1963;
Papers on Exhibitions at IGS, 1961-1893
Papers on commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the death of Goethe, 1982;
Papers on publication of Germanistik in Festschriften von den Sufängen (1877) bis 1973 IGS Friends Newsletter, 1987-1995;
Visitors Book, 1956-1983.
Further accessions are expected.
As described in the scope and content above.
Researchers should apply to consult material at least forty-eight hours in advance by letter, facsimile, e-mail or telephone. The Library staff need a name and contact number, a concise and clear idea of the nature of the enquiry and a date and time for consultation.
Photocopies may be made, although this is at the discretion of the Librarian and is dependent on the nature of the material.
English and German
Box and accession lists.
Other papers have been retained by staff of the Institute, and may be transferred to the Library in future.
Compiled by Alan Kucia as part of the RSLP AIM25 Project. Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000 and National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal Place and Corporate Names 1997. May 2002 England Europe European history European literature German German history Germanic languages German literature Goethe , Johann Wolfgang , von , 1749-1832 , poet and playwright x von Goethe , Johann Wolfgang History Holborn Indo-european languages Institute of Germanic Studies London National history National literatures Russell Square UK Western Europe Camden
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
The papers were generated and retained by the IGS
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Papers of the Institute of Germanic Studies (IGS), 1951-1995, including
Papers, 1951-1961 on repair of war damage and the conversion of 29 Russell Square for the IGS, including plans, correspondence with Surveyors, schedule of work, application for award under National Building Programme, tenders, and contact with the builders;
Papers on production of a "Union List" of periodicals dealing with Germanic languages and literatures in the University Library and libraries of the Colleges and Institutes of the University of London, 1956;
Minutes, correspondence and papers on the Medieval Studies Group project to compile a bibliography and commentary of Wolfram von Eschenbach, 1961-1963;
Papers on Exhibitions at IGS, 1961-1893
Papers on commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the death of Goethe, 1982;
Papers on publication of Germanistik in Festschriften von den Sufängen (1877) bis 1973 IGS Friends Newsletter, 1987-1995;
Visitors Book, 1956-1983.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
Further accessions are expected.
System of arrangement
As described in the scope and content above.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Researchers should apply to consult material at least forty-eight hours in advance by letter, facsimile, e-mail or telephone. The Library staff need a name and contact number, a concise and clear idea of the nature of the enquiry and a date and time for consultation.
Conditions governing reproduction
Photocopies may be made, although this is at the discretion of the Librarian and is dependent on the nature of the material.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
- Latin
Language and script notes
English and German
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Box and accession lists.
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Other papers have been retained by staff of the Institute, and may be transferred to the Library in future.
Publication note
Notes area
Note
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Place access points
Name access points
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000 and National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal Place and Corporate Names 1997.
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
Language(s)
- English