Iconographic collection

Collection description

Collection

Country:: Belgium

Holding institution:: Archives of the Université Libre de Bruxelles

Holding institution (official language):: Archives de l’Université Libre de Bruxelles

Postal address:: Campus du Solbosch AX1.222, Avenue Franklin Roosevelt 50 / Franklin Rooseveltlaan 50, 1000 Bruxelles

Phone number:: +32 02/650.35.66

Web address:: http://bib.ulb.ac.be/fr/bibliotheques/archives-de-lulb/index.html

Email:: archives@ulb.ac.be

Reference number:: ArUnLib-Brussels-Collection iconographique

Title:: Iconographic collection

Title (official language):: Collection iconographique

Creator/accumulator:: Université Libre de Bruxelles

Date(s):: unknown

Extent:: ca. 10,000 items

Scope and content:: This collection consists of over 10,000 iconographic documents: photographs, posters and artworks related to the history of the ULB. We note many photographs of professors of the university.

Administrative/biographical history:: The Université Libre de Bruxelles (‘Free university of Brussels’)(ULB) was established on 20 November 1834. Pierre-Théodore Verhaegen, Master of the Masonic lodge Les Amis philantropes initiated the creation of this “free” university, dedicated to teaching the Enlightenment philosophy and fighting against intolerance. Originally, the institution was called Université Libre de Belgique; it was divided in four faculties: literature and philosophy, law, science and medicine. Its name was changed to Université Libre de Bruxelles in 1836. The number of students steadily increased. In 1861, the university integrated the principle of free inquiry (‘libre examen’) as a founding principle in its statutes. A polytechnic school was opened in 1873, the school of political and social science was founded in 1899. The first female students were allowed to enrol at the ULB in 1880-1881. A difference of opinion led to a split of progressive professors and students, who would create the Université Nouvelle (‘new university’) in 1894, which existed until the First World War. The Institut de Sociologie of the ULB was created in 1902, the École de Commerce Solvay two years later. Since the late 19th century, the ULB has welcomed many foreign students, notably from Russia and Central and Eastern Europe. These students were fleeing the discrimination and entry restrictions imposed on ethnic and religious minorities. We note a significant number of (male and female) Jewish students from Russia and Eastern Europe; some of them continued to make an academic career at the ULB. Furthermore, the policy of the ULB was to hire renowned experts as professors for their skills and merit, without discrimination based on origin or religion. The ULB was closed in November 1941. Certain professors continued to teach classes in secret. Many teachers and students were involved in the resistance, notably in Groupe G. Classes resumed after the Liberation, in September 1944. The ULB was split in two in October 1969, resulting in the creation of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (also ‘Free University of Brussels’) where Dutch was the medium of instruction. The ULB is currently one of the leading universities of the country and the top French-speaking university. (J. Bartier, Université libre de Bruxelles, 1834-1959, Bruxelles, ULB, 1959 ; A. DESPY-MEYER, A. Dierkens & F. Scheelings (eds.), 25 novembre 1941, l’Université Libre de Bruxelles ferme ses portes, Bruxelles, Archives de l’ULB, 1991 ; V. Piette & E. Gubin, Emma, Louise, Marie … L’Université libre de Bruxelles et l’émancipation des femmes (1834-2000), Bruxelles, éd. Gief, 2004.)

Access points: locations:: Brussels

Subject terms:: Art; Education; Education--Schools and universities; Education--Students; Education--Teachers and professors; Photographs; Posters; Professions; Professions--Scholars (secular), scientists, and academics

Finding aids:: There is a database, accessible in the reading room. Searches can be done by name.

Yerusha Network member:: State Archives of Belgium

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