Manuscript Collections

The manuscript collections of the British Library form part of the national repository of manuscripts, private papers and archives. They contain material of outstanding research importance for all periods, countries and disciplines. The focal point of the collections is the Manuscripts Reading Room at our St Pancras site

Preparing for Your Visit The Collections Manuscripts Catalogues Recent Acquisitions Picture Research Manuscripts Reading Room Exhibitions and Links Enquiries

Clockwise from top left: St. Matthew, John Keats, Florence Nightingale, W. E. Gladstone. Copyright © The British Library

These web pages and the collections available in the Manuscripts Reading Room reflect the holdings of the Department of Manuscripts, which are predominantly manuscripts written in western European languages. Other manuscript collections are housed with the Asia, Pacific and Africa Collections (including Arabic and Hebrew and the India Office Private Papers), Music Collections and the Map Collections.

Enquiries

The Department of Manuscripts is pleased to answer routine postal, fax or e-mail enquiries that are specifically about the collections. However, we regret that it is not possible to offer general research advice, or to undertake lengthy research. If an enquiry is likely to take more than 30 minutes a professional researcher will be recommended.

The British Library
Manuscript Collections
96 Euston Road
London NW1 2DB
United Kingdom

T +44 (0) 20 7412 7513
F +44 (0) 20 7412 7745
Email mss@bl.uk