Papers of the Transylvanian Saxon University

Collection description

Holding institution (official language):: Arhivele Naționale ale României, Direcţia Judeţeană Sibiu

Postal address:: Arhivele Naționale ale României, Direcţia Judeţeană Sibiu, Strada Arhivelor nr. 3, cod 550164, jud. Sibiu, România

Creator/accumulator:: Siebenbürgisch-Sächsische Nationsuniversität [Transylvanian Saxon University]

Scope and content:: This is a very extensive collection of papers created by the Saxon University throughout its centuries of existence. Owing to the large extent of the collection, surveying archivists focused on the register books of the 19th and early 20th century. Entries in these books show that the university did enter into some small contracts with local Jewish businesses, for example for the provision of hats for the university's employees. In another instance there is evidence that the university rented property to a Jewish tenant. For details on some of the relevant items found, see the entry for this collection at http://jbat.lbi.org/, subfield ‘contains’, and click on any title.

Archival history:: No information is provided as to when these papers were acquired by the National Archives.

Administrative/biographical history:: Into the modern epoch, the university existed as a political and governmental entity representing the Saxons of Transylvania. Over the years, however, many of its governmental functions were stripped and taken over by the imperial government, especially after Transylvania's incorporation into the Austrian empire. By the 19th century the university existed primarily to administer various assets, primarily rural and forest plots, as well as some schools and benevolent institutions owned collectively by the Saxon population. 19th-century land reforms further diminished the university’s holdings, which existed into the early 20th century to administer Saxon schools, charitable institutions and real estate holdings.