The Carlscrona Reading Society Library: the library of my great-grandfather's great-grandfather

Abstract

Written in places in a semi-journalistic, personal style, this article explores the history of the library of the Carlscrona Reading Society which was active between 1796 and 1863, and which counted among its membership one of the author's distant ancestors. The history of the library is set against the backdrop of the development of the Enlightenment in Sweden. The membership of the Society and the content of the library are examined, special attention being paid to the library's 'golden age' period before 1830. The library collection, consisting of around 9000 volumes, currently resides in the Nordenskjöld House in central Karlskron. A version of this article first appeared in the Swedish library magazine Ikoner in 2005.