The Frey-Grynaeus Institute and its historical Library

15 July 2021

In 1747, in memory of his friend and colleague Johannes Grynaeus (1705-1744), Johann Frey (1684-1759) founded the organisation for the study and promotion of theology and related sciences (das Frey- Grynäische Institut zur Förderung von Theologie und benachbarter Wissenschaften).

The collection comprises thousands of books and manuscripts spanning from the 15th century, when printing began, to the 19th century.

The focus is on theology, oriental studies and English studies. Numerous books were printed in Basel and bear witness to the great history of printing in this city. (See also the museum die Basler Papiermühle, www.papiermuseum.ch).

The library has been preserved and excellently documented, while other libraries were integrated into large institutions in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The library is a unique testimony to the history of science in the 18th century.

(Source: www.freygrynaeum.unibas.ch).