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Boreal Manuscripts

 Collection

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A collection of 153 Scandinavian manuscripts (chiefly Icelandic, a few Danish, Latin and Swedish), including papers relating to poetry, law and history.

Dates

  • Creation: 16th-19th century

Extent

16.94 Linear metres (154 boxes)

Language of Materials

  • Icelandic
  • Danish
  • Latin
  • Swedish

Preferred Citation

Oxford, Bodleian Libraries [followed by shelfmark and folio or page reference, e.g. MS. Boreal 1].

Please see our help page for further guidance on citing archives and manuscripts.

Full range of shelfmarks:

MSS. Boreal 1-153

Collection ID (for staff)

CMD ID 12805

Abstract

A collection of 153 Scandinavian manuscripts.

Biographical / Historical

Finn Magnusen (1781-1848), was born in Iceland and educated at Copenhagen. He was a lawyer at Reykjavik, 1806-1815.

Other Finding Aids

Falconer Madan, et al., A summary catalogue of western manuscripts in the Bodleian Library at Oxford which have not hitherto been catalogued in the Quarto series (7 vols. in 8 [vol. II in 2 parts], Oxford, 1895-1953; reprinted, with corrections in vols. I and VII, Munich, 1980), vol. IV, nos. 20642-20794.

A catalogue by Magnusen himself, dated 1828, is in the Library, and was printed in 1832 with the title 'Catalogus...codicum cliii manuscriptorum Borealium præcipuæ Islandicæ originis, ...autcore... Finno Magnæo, Islando'.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The manuscripts were bought from Finn Magnusen for £350, through W.C. Trevelyan, esq., of Wallington Hall, Northumberland, in 1828.

Title
Boreal Manuscripts
Status
Published
Author
Collection Level Description by Emily Tarrant; EAD version 2020 by Kelly Burchmore
Date
EAD version 2020
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Bodleian Libraries Repository

Contact:
Weston Library
Broad Street
Oxford OX1 3BG United Kingdom