The scientists, poets and the others – librarians of private libraries (princes, margraves and counts) in German territories in 19th Century

Abstract

Libraries of princes, margraves and counts in Germany started their existence in the sixteenth century but their really blossomed as late as in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. As a distinctive type of private libraries they were largely diversifi ed, however mainly they were small and medium- sized institutions, but consisted of valuable collections of manuscripts, incunabula and old prints. In the article Author provides an attempt to build a sociological characteristics of these private librarians, focusing specifi cally on their education, academic qualifi cations and professional careers. There is also presented the structure (and changes) of staff employment in the libraries as well as private librarians’ research activity in the fi eld of librarianship.