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History of the University of Amsterdam

  • About the collections
  • Priority areas / highlights
  • Searching the collections
  • Contact persons

    • About the collections

    This is the collection building on that of the former University Museum of the UvA. It involves collections and objects related to research, education, student life, the buildings and academic customs. This translates to a range of material: archives, lecture notes, documentary material, portraits, prints, scientific instruments, teaching models, plaster casts, historical computers, posters, construction drawings, teaching records, photographs, gowns and berets. The collection lends itself to a variety of uses: from biographies to art historical research. Part of the collection is located in the faculties and other UvA buildings. The starting point of this collection is the founding of the Athenaeum Illustre in 1632, which was allowed to call itself the University of Amsterdam from 1877. The focus of this collection is between 1877 and 1960.

    Priority areas / highlights

    • The collection Gerardus van Papenbroeck
    • Archives of academics (van bijvoorbeeld A.N.J. Den Hollander en J.P. Bakker)
    • Archives of student unions, study associations and fraternities/sororoties (e.g. Olofspoort and Unitas
    • Photography collection of the University of Amsterdam

    Searching the collections

    Objects from this collection can be found through the Catalog. Some of the objects (portraits, prints and plaster casts) can be found via the image bank of the Allard Pierson. There it is also possible to download images in high resolution. Descriptions of collections and data on the content, acquisition and provenance of specific collections can be found in Archive Space. Not all material can yet be found online.

    Journals, reference works, bibliographies and printed catalogs on manuscripts and prints can be found in the Research Room Hand Library. If you are unable to request materials or have another question, please use the contact form.

    Information about students, PhDs and professors who have been associated with the Athenaeum Illustre and later the University of Amsterdam can be found in the Album Academicum.

    Contact persons