Special Collections
The University of Sussex holds a number of internationally acclaimed archival, manuscript and rare book collections, mostly relating to twentieth-century literary, political and social history. Our special collections include the papers of Rudyard Kipling, the New Statesman Archive, a series of collections relating to the Bloomsbury Group, including the Monks House Papers (Virginia Woolf), and over 60 other manuscript collections. The Mass-Observation Archive contains the papers of the social research organisation of the 1930s and 40s and continues to collect new material in the present day. We also hold the University’s own archival and administrative records.
Special Collections is now closed
The Keep (CGI © F10 Studios Ltd 2010)
During Summer 2013 Special Collections, including the Mass Observation Archive, will be moving from its current location on the top floor of the University Library to The Keep. We will therefore be closing our reading rooms from 30 May 2013 to allow the collections to be moved. It is hoped that The Keep will be open for research and teaching from late Autumn 2013.
The Keep is a new purpose built home for the archives and collections from the University of Sussex, East Sussex County Record Office and Royal Pavilion and Museums, Brighton & Hove. The building will provide state of the art storage facilities alongside spaces for research and teaching using the collections and is situated a short walk away from the University Campus. Find out more...
Search the catalogue
Access the Special Collections CatalogueThe online catalogue contains collection and item level descriptions relating to the holdings of the University of Sussex Special Collections.
