UCL SSEES Library

Hungarian language and literature have been taught officially at the School since 1936, but it was only after 1945 that material relating to Hungary began to be systematically acquired by the Library. The main areas of interest are the language, literature, history, culture, politics and economics of Hungary.

The collection has benefited greatly over the years from several substantial gifts and bequests, most notably those of Professor G. F. Cushing (language and literature), Mr Paul Ignotus (modern history and politics) and Mr S. W. Robinson (history and culture). The collection has been further enhanced by the purchase of rare Hungarica gathered by the distinguished scholar and bibliophile Béla Iványi-Grünwald. It consists of over 1,100 books, pamphlets, prints, maps and periodicals relating to Hungary, chiefly in English, and contains many rare items, including over 100 published before 1801.

Among the most notable reference works in the collection are the multi-volume Magyar Nagylexikon 19 volumes, Budapest 1993-2004, Magyarország a XX. Században, Budapest 1996-2000 and A magyarok krónikája, Budapest 2000.

Traditionally the emphasis of the collection has been on history, language, literature and literary criticism and it is particularly rich in the collected works of Hungarian authors. Another major strength of the collection is the coverage of Hungarian history, particularly political and constitutional history, and the social sciences, with special emphasis on Hungary's role within Central Europe and its membership of international organisations, including NATO and the European Union.

In 2006, the fiftieth anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution was marked by a great proliferation of new Hungarian publications containing previously unpublished material, archival documents, critical appraisals, eyewitness' accounts and photographs.

The Hungarian collection is located on the First Floor of the Library. Books in this section have the classmark H. Enquiries should be directed to the Area Specialist for Central Europe in Room 206.

This page last modified Wednesday 14 September 2011.