The library which Leiden University bought in 1690 from the heirs of Isaac Vossius (1618-1689) had a reputation with his contemporaries to be the best and most complete private library of its time.... Show moreThe library which Leiden University bought in 1690 from the heirs of Isaac Vossius (1618-1689) had a reputation with his contemporaries to be the best and most complete private library of its time. This acquisition of more than 700 manuscripts and about 4,000 printed books doubled the Academy’s collections at one stroke and made an architectural extension for the library necessary. The private collector Isaac Vossius had more means and resources at his disposal to keep up with the scientific developments of his time than the librarian of the institutional library of the university. Books by Galilei, Descartes and Newton became available in the Leiden University Library for the first time in 1690. Reconstructing the medical, philosophical and mathematical sections of Vossius’s library provides insight in the sources he may have used for his own scholarly production, which he wrote during the second half of his life. A careful analysis of the printed books reveals many provenances of contemporary scholars and earlier bookcollectors. It shows to what extent Isaac Vossius stood on the shoulders of men like Joseph Scaliger, Hugo Grotius, his own father Gerardus Johannes Vossius and many others of which he owned books and manuscripts. Show less
In September 2017, Leiden University opened the Asian Library to house its world renowned and extensive Asian collections. This includes the largest collection on Indonesia worldwide and some of... Show moreIn September 2017, Leiden University opened the Asian Library to house its world renowned and extensive Asian collections. This includes the largest collection on Indonesia worldwide and some of the foremost collections on South and Southeast Asia, China, Japan, and Korea. "Voyage of Discovery" contains more than twenty essays by academics, curators, and authors on their experiences with the Leiden collections. Richly illustrated and showcasing twenty-five treasures from the Asian Library, such as unique manuscripts and rare maps, this book offers a beautiful look inside the Asian Library. Show less
