GB 0367 IGS - Institute of Germanic Studies

Identity area

Reference code

GB 0367 IGS

Title

Institute of Germanic Studies

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comes right up to the present, whilst its extensive manuscript and archive holdings (many of which remain unknown and unpublished) range from the mid-ninth century to contemporary poetry.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.

Related descriptions

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

Institute of Modern Languages

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

Script(s)

    Sources

    Accession area