The of a library in a research work of Jan Uphagen, in the light of analysis of source materials to his „Parega historica”

Abstract

The author presents analysis of the Parega historica (Gdańsk, 1782), the fundamental work of the patrician and Gdańsk historian Jan Uphagen (1731-1802), in regard of source materials he referred to during writing his text, and of his private library. Parega historica is a chronicle of the world since 4379 B.C. up to the year 997 C.E. According the author’s settlements, the chronicle was based on the analysis of at least of 615 works of 526 authors, and 81 collective works and publications, cited by Uphagen more than 2400 times. As Piotrowska proves, Uphagen was looking for the sources in his private library, amounting to 10 463 works in more than 15 209 volumes, 280 manuscripts, and 165 maps and drawing. This collection, developed as a research workshop, included mostly historical, geographical, and literary publications, as well as lexicons and encyclopaedias. It was organised according to 35 subject groups, which reflected topics of particular parts of Parega historica. Analysis of source materials of the Uphagen’s work reveals great erudition of this researcher, in particular in regard of historical writings.