Topic(s)
The Franciscan order, St. Francis of Assisi
Extent
Ca. 200 items
Scope and content
The International Society for Franciscan Studies was founded in 1902 by Paul Sabatier (1858-1928), and a British Branch with Sabatier as its President was established in the same year, with a library from the outset. In 1907 this branch was reorganised as the British Society of Franciscan Studies, which was primarily a society for publishing texts and studies on Franciscan history. It also became associated with productions of the Little plays of St. Francis by Laurence Housman at University College, the proceeds from which supported the Society.
In addition to the Society's publications, the collection includes general works on St. Francis of Assisi and the history of the Franciscan order. The majority of the volumes dates to the early 20th century, but there is some older material as well, with the earliest items dating to the 17th century.
History

The collection was deposited at UCL in 1938, when the Society disbanded.
Finding aids and published descriptions
Società internazionale di studi francescani. British Branch. Catalogue of the library (London: Woman's Printing Society: 1904). With additions up to 1938 noted largely in the hand of R.W. Chambers. Copy available at UCL Special Collections
Access
The collection is fully catalogued. To browse the records, conduct a shelfmark search for FRANCISCAN SOCIETY on Explore.
Image: The little flowers of S. Francis of Assisi, translated from the Italian by T.W. Arnold (FRANCISCAN SOCIETY ARN 1909)