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The University of Southampton
Special Collections

With around 7 million manuscript items and 50,000 printed books, the Special Collections provide a resource of remarkable richness and depth. Within the Archives and Manuscripts are the papers of the first Duke of Wellington, third Viscount Palmerston, and papers for the foundation of the states of India and Pakistan in the archive of Earl Mountbatten of Burma. Southampton is also home to one of the largest Jewish archives in Western Europe. Printed collections of note are the Parkes Library on Jewish/non-Jewish relations, the Cope Collection on Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, the Perkins Agricultural Library and the Wellington Pamphlets.

18 August 2020

Special Collections guest stars on the Uni...

Find out what Special Collections have been up to during lockdown a...

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27 May 2020

Special Collections releases The Written W...

Looking to try a new skill? Then why not have a go at our The Writ...

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Printed Collections

Find out about the Special Collections printed collections, including the Cope Collection, Parkes Library and the rare book material.

Digital Library

The Digital Library gives access to online digital collections.

Special Collections Blog

The Special Collections blog is updated regularly with posts about our collections, as well as current news, events and exhibitions.

University Library

The University Library has a comprehensive collection of books and journals, both electronic and print, plus a range of services to support teaching and research across all areas of the University.

Special Collections Blog

Wed, 22 Mar 2023

Wellington 40: Events

In this week’s blog we’re taking a look at various public events – con...

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Tue, 14 Mar 2023

Wellington 40: Conserving the Wellington Papers

The Wellington Papers came to Southampton with a major challenge of co...

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Tue, 07 Mar 2023

Wellington 40: celebrating 40 years of the Wellington Archive at Southampton

In 2023 Archives and Special Collections is celebrating a special anni...

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