Hartley Special Collections
@hartleyspecialc.bsky.social
southampton.ac.uk/archives
Based in the University of Southampton Hartley Library.
With around 7 million manuscript items and 50,000 printed books, the Special Collections provide a resource of remarkable richness and depth.
Based in the University of Southampton Hartley Library.
With around 7 million manuscript items and 50,000 printed books, the Special Collections provide a resource of remarkable richness and depth.
Today we mark the birthday of Henry Robinson Hartley (1777-1850) whose bequest to the town of Southampton led (eventually) to the creation of this University.
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@unisouthampton.bsky.social @uosengagement.bsky.social
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@unisouthampton.bsky.social @uosengagement.bsky.social
November 12, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Today we mark the birthday of Henry Robinson Hartley (1777-1850) whose bequest to the town of Southampton led (eventually) to the creation of this University.
buff.ly/x4lP48J
@unisouthampton.bsky.social @uosengagement.bsky.social
buff.ly/x4lP48J
@unisouthampton.bsky.social @uosengagement.bsky.social
#OnThisDay in 1918 Germany signed the armistice, officially marking the end of the First World War. Please see this blog from 2018 on the contributions of the staff at the University War Hospital at the Highfield Campus site during WW1 buff.ly/rUZtpWF
November 11, 2025 at 8:00 AM
#OnThisDay in 1918 Germany signed the armistice, officially marking the end of the First World War. Please see this blog from 2018 on the contributions of the staff at the University War Hospital at the Highfield Campus site during WW1 buff.ly/rUZtpWF
An @explorearchives theme for November is #EYASpirituality - so we share the prospectus of the second international conference of the World Congress of Faiths, held at UCL in July 6-17, 1936 @UCL
November 7, 2025 at 11:15 AM
An @explorearchives theme for November is #EYASpirituality - so we share the prospectus of the second international conference of the World Congress of Faiths, held at UCL in July 6-17, 1936 @UCL
#OnThisDay in 1920 Southampton’s Cenotaph was unveiled. Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and financed by public subscription, it commemorated the Sotonians who lost their lives in World War I. Lutyens reworked the design for the national war memorial, the Cenotaph in Whitehall.
November 6, 2025 at 1:18 PM
#OnThisDay in 1920 Southampton’s Cenotaph was unveiled. Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and financed by public subscription, it commemorated the Sotonians who lost their lives in World War I. Lutyens reworked the design for the national war memorial, the Cenotaph in Whitehall.
For more than 400 years the discovery of the 1605 plot to blow up the Palace of Westminster at the opening of Parliament has been commemorated on the 5 November, known at various times as Gunpowder Treason Day, Guy Fawkes Day and Firework or Bonfire Night
#GuyFawkes #BonfireNight
#GuyFawkes #BonfireNight
Remember, Remember the Fifth of November, Gunpowder, Treason and Plot
For more than four hundred years the discovery of the 1605 plot to blow up the Palace of Westminster at the opening of Parliament has been commemorated on the 5th of November. Known at various time…
specialcollectionsuniversityofsouthampton.wordpress.com
November 5, 2025 at 10:30 AM
For more than 400 years the discovery of the 1605 plot to blow up the Palace of Westminster at the opening of Parliament has been commemorated on the 5 November, known at various times as Gunpowder Treason Day, Guy Fawkes Day and Firework or Bonfire Night
#GuyFawkes #BonfireNight
#GuyFawkes #BonfireNight
#RememberRemember #5November #GuyFawkes "The night has gone off with little more excitement than is, I understand, usual on the 5th of November," the Bishop of Exeter writes to the Duke of Wellington after the 5 November 1831.
November 5, 2025 at 7:30 AM
#RememberRemember #5November #GuyFawkes "The night has gone off with little more excitement than is, I understand, usual on the 5th of November," the Bishop of Exeter writes to the Duke of Wellington after the 5 November 1831.
#OnThisDay in 1922 Howard Carter discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. Here are a few photographs from Lord and Lady Louis Mountbatten's visit to the Valley of the Kings in 1928 while boxes of treasures were being taken away from Tutankhamun's tomb! #DidYouKnow
November 4, 2025 at 4:30 PM
#OnThisDay in 1922 Howard Carter discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. Here are a few photographs from Lord and Lady Louis Mountbatten's visit to the Valley of the Kings in 1928 while boxes of treasures were being taken away from Tutankhamun's tomb! #DidYouKnow
A floor plan and sketch of the bungalow featured in "The Bungalow Ghost": a story by James Parke about an "impersonating elemental" that lived in his boyhood home on Guernsey
#Halloween #Ghosts
#Halloween #Ghosts
October 31, 2025 at 7:00 AM
A floor plan and sketch of the bungalow featured in "The Bungalow Ghost": a story by James Parke about an "impersonating elemental" that lived in his boyhood home on Guernsey
#Halloween #Ghosts
#Halloween #Ghosts
As #Halloween approaches, we wonder if the Cope Collection books have ghostly tales to tell. Their original home was Bramshill House which accommodated not only Sir William Cope but an impressive 14 ghosts, including a lady in grey, a woman in white and a green man. #Ghosts
October 30, 2025 at 4:39 PM
As #Halloween approaches, we wonder if the Cope Collection books have ghostly tales to tell. Their original home was Bramshill House which accommodated not only Sir William Cope but an impressive 14 ghosts, including a lady in grey, a woman in white and a green man. #Ghosts
Calling all Austen fans!
On Monday 12 December we're hosting a pop-up exhibition of archival and rare book material relating to Southampton in the Georgian and Regency eras including places known to and reflecting the life of Jane Austen.
Email us to book archives@soton.ac.uk
On Monday 12 December we're hosting a pop-up exhibition of archival and rare book material relating to Southampton in the Georgian and Regency eras including places known to and reflecting the life of Jane Austen.
Email us to book archives@soton.ac.uk
October 29, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Calling all Austen fans!
On Monday 12 December we're hosting a pop-up exhibition of archival and rare book material relating to Southampton in the Georgian and Regency eras including places known to and reflecting the life of Jane Austen.
Email us to book archives@soton.ac.uk
On Monday 12 December we're hosting a pop-up exhibition of archival and rare book material relating to Southampton in the Georgian and Regency eras including places known to and reflecting the life of Jane Austen.
Email us to book archives@soton.ac.uk
In October 1974 the @TurnerSims.bsky.social Concert Hall was opened @unisouthampton.bsky.social. Here is a black and white photograph from David Warren Brubeck's concert in January 1996
October 28, 2025 at 10:00 AM
In October 1974 the @TurnerSims.bsky.social Concert Hall was opened @unisouthampton.bsky.social. Here is a black and white photograph from David Warren Brubeck's concert in January 1996
"The scale then fixed on by the Treasury is now pronounced to be altogether insufficient and useless" writes Henry Gouldburn to the Duke of Wellington in October 1842 concerning "the survey of the yet unsurveyed part of Great Britain."
@ordnancesurvey.bsky.social
@ordnancesurvey.bsky.social
October 27, 2025 at 11:15 AM
"The scale then fixed on by the Treasury is now pronounced to be altogether insufficient and useless" writes Henry Gouldburn to the Duke of Wellington in October 1842 concerning "the survey of the yet unsurveyed part of Great Britain."
@ordnancesurvey.bsky.social
@ordnancesurvey.bsky.social
The Battle of Kinburn in the Crimean War was fought 170 years ago last Friday and is referenced in a short letter (MS62/BR/30/22/8) sent to Palmerston from his wife Emily Mary, Lady Palmerston, written just four days after the battle @explorearchives
Letter from Emily Mary, Lady Palmerston, Broadlands, to her husband, Henry John Temple, third Viscount Palmerston: Crimean War: victory at Kinburn; Minny and Lord Ashley
Letter from Emily Mary, Lady Palmerston, Broadlands, to her husband, Henry John Temple, third Viscount Palmerston, on the victory at Kinburn in the Crimean War; Minny and Lord Ashley. \[Transcript…
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October 24, 2025 at 12:03 PM
The Battle of Kinburn in the Crimean War was fought 170 years ago last Friday and is referenced in a short letter (MS62/BR/30/22/8) sent to Palmerston from his wife Emily Mary, Lady Palmerston, written just four days after the battle @explorearchives
A postcard of the Royal Victoria Hospital at Netley, near Southampton. A military hospital planned after the Crimean War, it opened in 1863 and closed in 1958. The main building, only half of which is shown, was demolished in 1966 leaving only the central chapel standing.
October 23, 2025 at 12:39 PM
A postcard of the Royal Victoria Hospital at Netley, near Southampton. A military hospital planned after the Crimean War, it opened in 1863 and closed in 1958. The main building, only half of which is shown, was demolished in 1966 leaving only the central chapel standing.
Want to know what goes on "behind the scenes" at the Archives & Special Collections? We're hosting tours and a small exhibition of archival and rare book material reflecting Jane Austen’s world and Regency Britain on Mon 15 Dec.
Email archives@soton.ac.uk to book your free place!
Email archives@soton.ac.uk to book your free place!
October 22, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Want to know what goes on "behind the scenes" at the Archives & Special Collections? We're hosting tours and a small exhibition of archival and rare book material reflecting Jane Austen’s world and Regency Britain on Mon 15 Dec.
Email archives@soton.ac.uk to book your free place!
Email archives@soton.ac.uk to book your free place!
"Her harsh & nasal voice completely spoils the effect of the music..." Poor Miss Levy!
This 1895 letter from the West London Synagogue Archives made us smile and is old enough to share without causing embarrassment!
@parkesinstitute.bsky.social @seethetreasures.bsky.social @biajs.bsky.social
This 1895 letter from the West London Synagogue Archives made us smile and is old enough to share without causing embarrassment!
@parkesinstitute.bsky.social @seethetreasures.bsky.social @biajs.bsky.social
October 22, 2025 at 7:00 AM
"Her harsh & nasal voice completely spoils the effect of the music..." Poor Miss Levy!
This 1895 letter from the West London Synagogue Archives made us smile and is old enough to share without causing embarrassment!
@parkesinstitute.bsky.social @seethetreasures.bsky.social @biajs.bsky.social
This 1895 letter from the West London Synagogue Archives made us smile and is old enough to share without causing embarrassment!
@parkesinstitute.bsky.social @seethetreasures.bsky.social @biajs.bsky.social
#OnThisDay in 1805 Admiral Nelson led the @RoyalNavy.bsky.social to victory at #Trafalgar but died before the end. The brass plaque on the lid of this wooden box reads “This box was made from a piece of the Victory in which Lord Nelson fell at the Battle of Trafalgar, 21st October 1805".
October 21, 2025 at 11:00 AM
#OnThisDay in 1805 Admiral Nelson led the @RoyalNavy.bsky.social to victory at #Trafalgar but died before the end. The brass plaque on the lid of this wooden box reads “This box was made from a piece of the Victory in which Lord Nelson fell at the Battle of Trafalgar, 21st October 1805".
"But I have never held to Birth Day commemorations. The only birthday which is deserving of any specific notice... is that on which a person comes of age..."
#OnThisDay in 1784 Lord Palmerston was born
Having found the above letter think we had better not wish him a happy birthday!
#OnThisDay in 1784 Lord Palmerston was born
Having found the above letter think we had better not wish him a happy birthday!
October 20, 2025 at 7:01 AM
"But I have never held to Birth Day commemorations. The only birthday which is deserving of any specific notice... is that on which a person comes of age..."
#OnThisDay in 1784 Lord Palmerston was born
Having found the above letter think we had better not wish him a happy birthday!
#OnThisDay in 1784 Lord Palmerston was born
Having found the above letter think we had better not wish him a happy birthday!
Today is the UN's International Day for the Eradication of Poverty - poverty was far more widespread in nineteenth century Britain and produced some interesting speculation on potential remedies (MS61/WP1/982/8): buff.ly/bqzcyiP @explorearchives
October 17, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Today is the UN's International Day for the Eradication of Poverty - poverty was far more widespread in nineteenth century Britain and produced some interesting speculation on potential remedies (MS61/WP1/982/8): buff.ly/bqzcyiP @explorearchives
Railway 200
This year marks the 200th anniversary of the railway! On 27th September 1825 the Stockton and Darlington Railway officially opened. This was the the world’s first public railway to use steam locomotives and therefore marked the beginning of the age of modern rail travel. The University…
This year marks the 200th anniversary of the railway! On 27th September 1825 the Stockton and Darlington Railway officially opened. This was the the world’s first public railway to use steam locomotives and therefore marked the beginning of the age of modern rail travel. The University…
Railway 200
This year marks the 200th anniversary of the railway! On 27th September 1825 the Stockton and Darlington Railway officially opened. This was the the world’s first public railway to use steam locomotives and therefore marked the beginning of the age of modern rail travel. The University of Southampton’s Archives and Special Collections have numerous items highlighting the history of the railway, many of which have featured in various exhibitions over the years.
specialcollectionsuniversityofsouthampton.wordpress.com
October 17, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Railway 200
This year marks the 200th anniversary of the railway! On 27th September 1825 the Stockton and Darlington Railway officially opened. This was the the world’s first public railway to use steam locomotives and therefore marked the beginning of the age of modern rail travel. The University…
This year marks the 200th anniversary of the railway! On 27th September 1825 the Stockton and Darlington Railway officially opened. This was the the world’s first public railway to use steam locomotives and therefore marked the beginning of the age of modern rail travel. The University…
We are delighted to share the second blog relating to the Schonfeld Archive Project, focusing on work to create extensive new catalogue descriptions that are unlocking information about this important archive.
Unlocking a vital historical resource: the Schonfeld Archive Project phase two
On the strongroom shelves in Archives and Special Collections at the University of Southampton sit over a thousand boxes containing a single twentieth-century Anglo-Jewish collection: the Schonfeld…
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October 16, 2025 at 5:18 PM
We are delighted to share the second blog relating to the Schonfeld Archive Project, focusing on work to create extensive new catalogue descriptions that are unlocking information about this important archive.
Unlocking a vital historical resource: the Schonfeld Archive Project phase two
On the strongroom shelves in Archives and Special Collections at the University of Southampton sit over a thousand boxes containing a single twentieth-century Anglo-Jewish collection: the Schonfeld Archive. This…
On the strongroom shelves in Archives and Special Collections at the University of Southampton sit over a thousand boxes containing a single twentieth-century Anglo-Jewish collection: the Schonfeld Archive. This…
Unlocking a vital historical resource: the Schonfeld Archive Project phase two
On the strongroom shelves in Archives and Special Collections at the University of Southampton sit over a thousand boxes containing a single twentieth-century Anglo-Jewish collection: the Schonfeld Archive. This valuable collection of primary source material documents the life and work of Rabbi Solomon Schonfeld, an influential figure in twentieth-century Jewish history. Active from the 1930s until his death in 1984, Rabbi Schonfeld was instrumental in rescuing Jewish refugees from Nazi-occupied Europe and in advancing orthodox Jewish education in the UK.
specialcollectionsuniversityofsouthampton.wordpress.com
October 16, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Unlocking a vital historical resource: the Schonfeld Archive Project phase two
On the strongroom shelves in Archives and Special Collections at the University of Southampton sit over a thousand boxes containing a single twentieth-century Anglo-Jewish collection: the Schonfeld Archive. This…
On the strongroom shelves in Archives and Special Collections at the University of Southampton sit over a thousand boxes containing a single twentieth-century Anglo-Jewish collection: the Schonfeld Archive. This…
Behind the Scenes in Special Collections
On Monday 15th December 2025 the Special Collections team will be hosting a drop-in session in our searchroom on Level 4 of the Hartley Library. There will be a small exhibition of archival and rare book material reflecting Jane Austen's world and Regency…
On Monday 15th December 2025 the Special Collections team will be hosting a drop-in session in our searchroom on Level 4 of the Hartley Library. There will be a small exhibition of archival and rare book material reflecting Jane Austen's world and Regency…
Behind the Scenes in Special Collections
On Monday 15th December 2025 the Special Collections team will be hosting a drop-in session in our searchroom on Level 4 of the Hartley Library. There will be a small exhibition of archival and rare book material reflecting Jane Austen's world and Regency Britain. There will also be a chance to look behind the scenes at our storage areas and a talk by our conservation team on the work they undertake to care for our collections.
specialcollectionsuniversityofsouthampton.wordpress.com
October 16, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Behind the Scenes in Special Collections
On Monday 15th December 2025 the Special Collections team will be hosting a drop-in session in our searchroom on Level 4 of the Hartley Library. There will be a small exhibition of archival and rare book material reflecting Jane Austen's world and Regency…
On Monday 15th December 2025 the Special Collections team will be hosting a drop-in session in our searchroom on Level 4 of the Hartley Library. There will be a small exhibition of archival and rare book material reflecting Jane Austen's world and Regency…
A sunny day in 1960s Southampton. This is the view south from the top of the clock tower, showing the area prior to the construction of the Marlands Centre, with the rose garden and bus station centrally placed. @HistoricalSoton @SotonianHistory @SotonStories @SouthamptonHid1
October 16, 2025 at 1:27 PM
A sunny day in 1960s Southampton. This is the view south from the top of the clock tower, showing the area prior to the construction of the Marlands Centre, with the rose garden and bus station centrally placed. @HistoricalSoton @SotonianHistory @SotonStories @SouthamptonHid1
#OnThisDay in 1862 the Hartley Institution opened in Southampton High Street.
Why is this significant? Because years later it became the University of Southampton @unisouthampton.bsky.social we know and love today! @uosengagement.bsky.social
Why is this significant? Because years later it became the University of Southampton @unisouthampton.bsky.social we know and love today! @uosengagement.bsky.social
![The opening of the Hartley Institution 15 October 1862, photograph of an engraving of Lord Palmerston arriving. It is a black and white image of a grand building with a horse drawn carriage in front [MS1/Phot/39/ph 3026]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:256ibdqx32qzse2yjipsba7g/bafkreifihwkkafi4rk74tnudimdpmakbkse6kzxszq5bgbningmh7kk4qa@jpeg)
October 15, 2025 at 8:01 AM
#OnThisDay in 1862 the Hartley Institution opened in Southampton High Street.
Why is this significant? Because years later it became the University of Southampton @unisouthampton.bsky.social we know and love today! @uosengagement.bsky.social
Why is this significant? Because years later it became the University of Southampton @unisouthampton.bsky.social we know and love today! @uosengagement.bsky.social