Archive
The historical documentary heritage of the Archive of the Fundación Universitaria Española comprises a wide variety of collections from different origins (both personal and institutional) such as the archives of the Count Campomanes, the Escuela de Cristo, Pedro Sainz Rodríguez, and the Government of the Second Spanish Republic in exile.
The archive of the Count of Campomanes arrived at the Foundation in 1972 and serves as a primary source for understanding 18th-century Spain. It consists of 73 bundles, all of which have been described and published in catalogues by the Foundation. Notable correspondents include Marquis of Esquilache, Gregorio Mayáns, the count of Aranda, Father Flórez, Mengs or Antonio Ponz. The topics covered are wide-ranging: book inventories, earthquakes, royal prerogatives, study plans, festival accounts, the expulsion of the Jesuits, and more. It also contains documents related to the Catholic Monarchs and Philip II.
The archive of the Escuela de Cristo, an institution that began in the 17th century, was incorporated into the Foundation in 1995. It consists of 90 printed works from the 17th and 18th centuries, including the complete works of Juan de Palafox y Mendoza, and the institution’s handwritten records from various Spanish cities.
Pedro Sainz Rodríguez (1897-1986), Minister of Public Instruction in 1938–1939, political advisor to Juan de Borbón, professor of Bibliography, trustee and cultural director of the Fundación Universitaria Española, bequeathed his archive and library in 1986. It consists of 64 bundles covering the period from the Dictatorship of Primo de Rivera, through the Second Republic, the Civil War, Francoism, and up to the 1980s, making it essential for understanding Spain’s 20th-century political life. Added to this is his correspondence, the inventory of which is currently being updated with access points (correspondents, subjects, geographic indexes) in preparation for digitization and online access.
The Government of the Second Spanish Republic in Exile, of great interest for the study of Spain’s recent history, was received by the Foundation in 1979. It consists of five document collections: the Paris collection, the Mexico collection, the Chile collection, the Niños Vascos collection, and a collection of periodical press.
Later, the personal archives of Félix Gordón Ordás (Mexico) and Antonio María Sbert were added. The types of documents are varied: newspaper clippings, reports, memoranda, communiqués, meeting minutes, letters of recommendation, safe-conducts, passports, obituaries, and numerous photographs. Part of these archives can be consulted in the database of the Ministry of Culture.
Other notable archives include the Antonio Rodríguez Moñino archive (4 bundles), related to the bibliographer Bartolomé Gallardoand the Claudio Sánchez Albornoz archive (3.900 letters).
Services
The Bibliographic Information Service handles all types of inquiries from both on-site and remote users, whether regarding the Archive and its operations or its collections, guiding users and helping them meet their information needs.
The Archive has a Reading Room and a Reference Room. Both rooms are equipped with power outlets for laptop use and Wi-Fi access.
The Reference Room offers the entire collection (over 2,000 titles) with open access, organized according to the Universal Decimal Classification (UDC). It includes: general and specialized bibliographies, library and archive catalogs, directories, dictionaries, etc., as well as works specialized in archival science, library science, and documentation. The collection is updated annually with the goal of creating a specialized library that supports and serves as a reference for researchers who request it.
The room is equipped with a photocopier, a microfilm reader, and a computer for consulting our bibliographic catalog.
A large part of the collection is available on microfilm, which facilitates reproduction and mailing to interested researchers.
Use and Norms
Opening Hours
Monday to Thursday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Friday: 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM
The library will be closed during the month of August.
To consult the collections, researchers must provide proof of their status as a researcher or doctoral student through a letter of introduction addressed to the Archive’s Director, and must complete the application form. An appointment is required (by phone or email).
The publication of any reproduction of our materials must include a citation of their source: Fundación Universitaria Española. Archive and the specific collection used. Additionally, the researcher agrees to deposit at least one printed copy of their publication in the library, which will become part of the Foundation’s bibliographic holdings. Reproduction is allowed for all documents whose physical or legal conditions permit it.
CONTACT
Archive Director
Isabel Balsinde (biblio@fuesp.com)
Researcher Assistance
Pilar Benito (lectores@fuesp.com)