Lund University Library holds important collections of manuscripts and personal papers.
The oldest manuscripts include about 800 Egyptian papyri, written in Greek during the first centuries B.C. and A.D.
The oldest preserved Nordic handwritten manuscript, the Necrologium Lundense, was brought to the newly established University Library in 1671 from the chapter library of Lund Cathedral. It contains among other things a list of deceased persons from 1123. Among the library’s 60 other medieval manuscripts is the Codex Falkenberg, one of the most important Vadstena manuscripts concerning the revelations of St. Bridget of Sweden.
Oriental manuscripts have continually been added to the collections from the beginning of the 18th century. In the 1980’s the philologist and ambassador Gunnar Jarring donated his collection of Eastern Turkestan manuscripts to the library.
Archives are available in the forms of personal papers, family archives and corporate archives. The personal papers originate largely from researchers and teachers at Lund University. Other important groups are writers, artists, composers and politicians from southern Sweden.
Search manuscripts & archives
Current register of archives (in Swedish) (PDF 738 kB - New window)
Manuscript Catalogue (older material)
One of the largest archives is the De la Gardie Archive.
Read more about the De la Gardie Archive
For requests from our archives, see Contact Information to the right. You can also use the web form below or our manual form. The items are viewed in the Special Collections Reading Room under the conditions for the use of that room.
Request form - manuscript, archives, images
Delivery times for the special collections
Special Collections Reading Room
Manuscript Section
E-mail: handskrift@ub.lu.se
In charge: Birgitta Lindholm
Telephone: 046-222 91 71