the center for history of science


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COLLECTIONS The Center manages three collections: the archives, the collection of instruments and the library. The Archives The archives consists of the academy's own archives from the beginning (1739), as well as personal archives from various Swedish scientists (Berzelius, Linnaeus, Arrhenius, Nordenskiöld for instance), some organisations' archives (IUPAP, SSAG, etc.). The archives are not just papers, but consist of photographs and engravings as well. A significant part of the promotion of research on the role of science in society from a historical perspective that is undertaken by the Center is made through the gradual organisation and indexing of the historical parts of the academy's archive. Such classification activities facilitate access to the archive. The Royal Academy of Sciences has played an important role in the construction of scientific institutions in Sweden, foremost amongst these are Stockholm's observatory, founded by the academy, and the Swedish Natural History Museum. The Center administers the older parts of the above named institutions' archives. These aside, there are many secretary general's archives, as well as the personal archives of many of the academy's fellows. The Nobel archives for the awards in physics, chemistry and economics are also stored, but these are, however, not made accessible for historical research until a period of fifty years has passed. Special permission is required to obtain access to the Nobel archives. In addition to the archived documents, there is a portrait archive with pictures of Swedish and foreign scientists, photographic reproductions of the Academy's large collection of paintings and engravings from the Academy's older publications. The archive also keeps a large collection of engravings, these are mainly original illustrations by the Academy's draftsmen, but there are also photographs and maps. A large part of this material originates from personal archives and will be indexed, together with these, in the future. In the meantime, there is a separate index using an older principle that can be used for searches. The Center also has a list of the archived memorial medals that the Academy has had minted all the way back to 1742. to the top

	Contents: The Archives The collection of Instruments The Library
	Search: Search for letters >> Search for manuscripts >> Search for portraits >> It is possible to search some parts of our archives on-line. Searching is possible in the old card catalogue, which is scanned and every 50th card is indexed. Most probably you will have to browse your way after searching by clicking the buttons +/- 50, 10, 5, 1 on top of the image of the card. Think of it as a card box where you browse alphabetically until you find (or not) what you are looking for. There are a lot more in our archives, but this might be helpful we think.
	Application for acccess to the Nobel archives >>
The collection of Instruments The Academy's collection of old scientific instruments is often called the Chamber of Physics. It consists of about 6 500 objects and it used to form the basis for much of the academy's public activities. This experimental equipment was used by the person upholding the lecturing post instigated in 1759, the so-called Thamic lectureship ('thamiska lektoratet'). The institution ceased to be active in 1919, so not only the archive material, but also the complete older research equipment collection was left with the Academy. To this collection, additions have been made through the integration of purchased and donated demonstration equipment, measuring equipment and instruments from almost all areas of science. During the 1930s there were advanced plans to create a "Museum for the history of the exact sciences" based on the instrument collection. It never came to be, except as an exhibition at the Natural History Museum, but in 1989, some of the objects were finally exhibited in the Observatory Museum as it opened in Stockholm's Old Observatory. In 1999, the Observatory Museum was taken over by the Academy, thereby renewing its possession of its oldest institutional building, but with a new purpose. It is expected that a larger part of the instrument collection will be put on display. However, the collection will continue to be administered by the Center for the History of Science in its entirety. to the top	The Library For a long time the library of the Academy of Science was the leading (natural) science library in Sweden, however it was reorganised within the Stockholm University library in 1978, which now has responsibility for it. The library is very well equipped, especially in botany and zoology, but also in other areas. The library is a national resource, and, by international standards, is quite unique. The Center can arrange for visiting researchers to borrow from the library. There are more than 400 000 items, and a lot of rare and exclusive items. To use them you should contact the library. to the top

The Center for History of Science
Lilla Frescativägen 4A, P.O. Box 50005, SE-104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
tel: +46 8 673 95 00, fax: +46 8 673 95 98, e-mail: center@kva.se
Webmaster: karl.grandin@kva.se