UCL Special Collections is part of the University College London Library system, based in London. Its collection contains religious and communal records along with personal archives.

Archive Description

UCL Library Special Collections is one of the foremost university collections of manuscripts, archives and rare books in the UK. Jewish material forms a significant part of these collections. The Jewish archival material relates mostly to Anglo-Jewry from the 19th to 20th centuries. Its largest component (around 170,000 items) is the personal archive of the Chief Rabbi of the Spanish and Portuguese community in England from 1887 to 1918, Moses Gaster. This covers almost every aspect of Jewish life and community affairs in England during the Victorian and Edwardian periods, from the personal to the political.

Access Information

UCL Library Special Collections is open to the public but appointments must be made at least two weeks in advance. Extensive information for visitors can be found on their website.

The Special Collections Reading Room is open Monday-Thursday 10am-4pm, and appointments can be made by emailing spec.coll@ucl.ac.uk.

Online Accessibility

UCL Libraries have a large collection of digitised material which can be accessed here.

UCL Special Collections can be searched using the wider UCL Library Catalogue, available here.

Street Address

University College London,
Gower Street,
London,
WC1E 6BT