Institute of English Studies Collections
The Institute of English Studies’ collections are mainly integrated within Senate House Library. Central to our collections are the History of the Book teaching collection and the Museum of Writing. Other collections include the T. Sturge Moore Collection and, within the Institute itself, a comprehensive collection of Books on Ireland and Irish Arts.
English Collection overview
The collection covers all aspects of English Studies, from the earliest origins to the present day, with a strong focus on English literature. The collection is particularly strong in the following areas:
The medieval period (c.450-1500)
The early modern period (c.1500-1700)
19th-mid-20th century
Post-colonial literatures in English
Critical theory and comparative literature
The book collection is also significantly enhanced by a rich periodicals collection with holdings dating back to the 17th century.
See our latest acquisitions
Book Studies Collection overview
The collection includes books, periodicals and pamphlets relating to the study of books, newspapers and periodicals in all their aspects and in all major West European languages. It encompasses writing, printing, publishing, reading, collecting and the physical structure of books, newspapers and periodicals.
Collection strengths include:
History of printing, publishing and bookselling in Britain
Catalogues and histories of libraries
Range of material in French, German, Italian and Spanish
Historic depth of holdings, with publications from the 17th to the 21st centuries
History of newspapers and periodicals
International scope, including the Commonwealth, Latin America and the United States
