Fellowship for the ‘Doopsgezinde Bibliotheek’
This fellowship is established in collaboration with the ‘Doopsgezind Erfgoedcentrum’ and made possible by the ‘Algemene Doopsgezinde Sociëteit’ and the ‘Stichting tot Beheer van de Bibliotheek van de Verenigde Doopsgezinde Gemeente Amsterdam’.
The Doopsgezinde Bibliotheek in the Allard Pierson contains over 18.000 books and other printed works on Mennonite history from the 16th century to the present. Additionally, the manuscripts section includes treatises and letters from the 16th century to the present, as well as sermons and lecture notes from the 18th century to the 20th century. The primary focus of the collection is on Dutch Mennonite (‘Doopsgezinde’) history, although publications from abroad are also represented. Among the greatest treasures are writings from both proponents and opponents of revolutionary Anabaptism, including Melchior Hoffman and the first Anabaptist leaders in the Netherlands such as Menno Simons, David Joris, Obbe and Dirk Philips, as well as like-minded individuals such as Hans Denck, Christiaan Entfelder, and Sebastian Franck. Later spiritualists such as Hendrick Niclaes and Hendrick Jansz van Barrefelt (Hiël) are also represented. The library holds theological and polemical writings from numerous prominent 17th and 18th-century teachers, works by Mennonite authors, and numerous prints. The Doopsgezinde Bibliotheek is on loan from the Doopsgezinde Gemeente Amsterdam since 1968.
Suggestions for research:
- The role of Dutch Mennonite booksellers, printers, publishers, and translators in disseminating and popularizing radical and moderate Enlightenment ideas during the long 18th century;
- The second revival of Dutch Mennonite movement at the end of the 18th century, since the establishment of the ‘Maatschappij tot Nut van ’t Algemeen’ and further manifesting itself in politics, science, and art;
- The Mennonite movement in Amsterdam in the 16th century;
- Contributions of Mennonite writers to the principle of freedom of conscience;
- Attitude towards colonialism and slavery among Mennonites;
- Other topics in the field of Dutch Mennonite history.
Searching the collection
All printed works can be found through the online catalogue of the UvA, which can be searched by author or title. The Doopsgezinde Bibliotheek as a whole has been described in the Collection Descriptions. Manuscripts have not yet been made accessible. For a survey of the manuscripts and undescribed archives, contact curator Gwendolyn Verbraak.
Questions
Curator Gwendolyn Verbraak can be contacted at g.m.verbraak@uva.nl for questions about the collection. Laurien de Gelder (l.i.degelder@uva.nl) can be contacted for questions about the application process.
