Manuscripts, Archives and Letters

Manuscripts, Archives and Letters · Asian Special Collections

The success story of Jacques Aanstoots, electrical engineer in the Dutch East Indies: part 1

The Leiden Special Collections hold the diaries of Jacques Aanstoots (1910-1912). They attract the attention of the Dutch readership for the name of the writer alone: ‘aanstoot’ means ‘offence’ in Dutch. Who was he? What did he write? And how did ‘his’ writings function?

Guest author • 20-09-2022

Manuscripts, Archives and Letters

An Unknown Latin Manuscript Translation of Descartes’ 'L’Homme'

A previously unknown manuscript of a Latin translation of Descartes’ L’homme has resurfaced in the collection of the UBL. A stunning discovery at a time of renewed interest in L’homme. Hopes are that the manuscript can help solve the problematic history of the text and numerous textual problems.

Guest author • 18-08-2022

Manuscripts, Archives and Letters · Photography

A rich Dutch East Indies family history impeccably preserved

A donation of an (almost) complete family archive, including photography, correspondence, official documents, but also textiles and clothing, provides a glimpse into life in the Dutch East Indies.

Anouk Mansfeld + 1 other • 19-07-2022

Manuscripts, Archives and Letters

Medieval love stories and morality in text and image: 'Der minnen loep' by Dirc Potter

The Dutch poet Dirc Potter (1370-1428) aimed to teach men and women about morality in his love treatise 'Der minnen loep'. His ideas about love were innovative and kind of unusual at the time, which is only one of many reasons why it deserves a closer look.

Guest author • 19-04-2022

Manuscripts, Archives and Letters

'The human life consists in vigilance'. The network of Johannes de Laet

Professional and personal correspondence as well as Album Amicorum entries reveal who Johannes de Laet was, who his contacts and peers were and how he wanted to be viewed in the learned and public sphere.

Guest author • 18-01-2022

Manuscripts, Archives and Letters

Tears behind a manuscript - The tragic history of a Dutch East Indies’ officer

Leiden University Libraries holds an exceptional manuscript by a certain Nicolaas Willem Schmal (1796-1837): 'Boertige Mengelingen en Puntdichten'. It was purchased in 1997 and has not been studied up to now. It mainly contains comic verses but also reveals a terrible tragedy.

Rick Honings • 21-12-2021

Manuscripts, Archives and Letters

Medieval manuscripts in the classroom: on site or online?

For students who choose to immerse themselves in the Middle Ages, it is important to encounter the primary sources that lie at the basis of their secondary literature and editions.

André Bouwman • 23-11-2021

Manuscripts, Archives and Letters

The early years of mathematics education at Leiden University (1575-1645)

Leiden University was one of the first universities in Europe to offer a practical mathematics course, taught in vernacular, parallel to a theoretical course. Why was this practical course taught and what did it teach students? The lecture notes of one of its first teachers can tell us a lot.

Guest author • 28-09-2021

Manuscripts, Archives and Letters

Political propositions: Willem Bilderdijk’s legal dissertation

Many recognise Willem Bilderdijk as one of the greatest poets in Dutch literary history, but only few know that he was a rather famous lawyer, all thanks to his education in Leiden. Letters, lecture notes and other documents provide insight into his time as a law student at Leiden University.

Guest author • 09-03-2021

Blogs

The success story of Jacques Aanstoots, electrical engineer in the Dutch East Indies: part 1

An Unknown Latin Manuscript Translation of Descartes’ 'L’Homme'

A rich Dutch East Indies family history impeccably preserved

Medieval love stories and morality in text and image: 'Der minnen loep' by Dirc Potter

'The human life consists in vigilance'. The network of Johannes de Laet

Tears behind a manuscript - The tragic history of a Dutch East Indies’ officer

Medieval manuscripts in the classroom: on site or online?

The early years of mathematics education at Leiden University (1575-1645)

Political propositions: Willem Bilderdijk’s legal dissertation