The First Collection

Bas Teunissen

In 1612, the States-General in The Hague decided to establish a provincial collegium in the northern city of Groningen. Two years later, the Academy of Groningen was officially opened. Like every other university, the Academy also needed a library, which was established less than a year later. Some well-learned men tasked themselves with starting a collection of books for the library. Four years later, over two hundred titles were collected, in just over four hundred volumes, which were then donated to the university. The books are recorded in the Librorum academicorum syllabus , the library’s first catalogue.

Nicolaus Mulerius (1654-1630), docent in de genees- en wiskunde, werd de eerste bibliothecaris van de universiteit. Hij deed dit op vrijwillige basis.Nicolaus Mulerius (1564-1630), professor of medicine and mathematics, became the university’s first librarian. He did this on a voluntary basis.

Nicolaus Mulerius (1564-1630), professor of medicine and mathematics, became the university’s first librarian. He did this on a voluntary basis.

Er waren twee versies van de Librorum academicorum syllabus. Één voor het persoonlijke gebruik van de bibliothecaris (links) en één pronkexemplaar (rechts).There were two versions of the Librorum academicorum syllabus. One for the librarian’s use (on the left) and another one just for show (on the right).

There were two versions of the Librorum academicorum syllabus. One for the librarian’s use (on the left) and another one just for show (on the right).

In zijn eigen handschrift verdeelde Mulerius de boeken in zeven categorieën: Theologici, Iuridici, Medici, Philosophi, Literatores, Mathematici en Historici. Deze syllabus werd gebruikt van 1619 tot 1755.In his own handwriting, Mulerius divided the books into seven sections: Theologici, Iuridici, Medici, Philosophi, Literatores, Mathematici, andHistorici. Books were recorded in this syllabus from 1619 until 1755.

In his own handwriting, Mulerius divided the books into seven sections: Theologici, Iuridici, Medici, Philosophi, Literatores, Mathematici, andHistorici. Books were recorded in this syllabus from 1619 until 1755.

De syllabus is grotendeels in het Latijn geschreven. Later, in de 18e eeuw, verschijnen er ook enkele Nederlandse zinnetjes.The syllabus is mainly drawn up in Latin. It is only later on, in the 18th century, that some Dutch phrases start to appear.

The syllabus is mainly drawn up in Latin. It is only later on, in the 18th century, that some Dutch phrases start to appear.

De boeken van de universiteitsbibliotheek waren geen alledaagse boeken die men kon vinden in de persoonlijke bibliotheek van een professor. Het waren dure en grote boeken, die dienden om magistraten, bezoekers en potentiële donateurs te imponeren.The books in the university library were not the everyday books one would find in a professor’s personal library. They were very expensive and large, partly to impress magistrates, visitors and possible benefactors.

The books in the university library were not the everyday books one would find in a professor’s personal library. They were very expensive and large, partly to impress magistrates, visitors and possible benefactors.

De pronksyllabus is mooi gekalligrafeerd en was bedoeld om aan bezoekers en mogelijke donateurs te laten zien. Sinds een paar jaar is deze syllabus ook geheel online te bewonderen.The syllabus used for show was nicely drawn up in calligraphy, meant to be presented to visitors and potential benefactors. Early in the 21st century, it was digitized and made available online.

The syllabus used for show was nicely drawn up in calligraphy, meant to be presented to visitors and potential benefactors. Early in the 21st century, it was digitized and made available online.

Last modified:

30 January 2020 09.33 a.m.

View this page in: Nederlands