The Radziwiłl of Biała Podlaska library and archive

Abstract

The article presents history of the book collection and archive lesser known to the researchers so far, which were gathered by the Radziwiłł family in Biała Podlaska. A special merits in gathering and indexing this collection belong to Anna Radziwiłł nee pricess Sanguszko. Analysis of her catalogues and its comparison with the catalogue of a part of the Nieśwież book collection provide fundaments to say that library and archive from Biała Podlaska consisted of if not all, then for sure a part of the Nieśwież collection. This book collection was one of the best in the Old Polish Republic, in particular rich in French literature.