Erasmus, the university and Rotterdam are connected. How and why?

With the Man Erasmus you learn more about who he was and about his views through his work, for example handwritten letters. The Myth deals with the image of Erasmus, in his own time and after his death, and the changing reception of his ideas and worldview. This can be seen in a cartoon of the Groene Amsterdammer and various biographies. The Legend is about the inextricable connection between Erasmus and the city of Rotterdam. This close connection is special, because despite the fact that Erasmus only lived in Rotterdam for a few years, 'the city breathes Erasmus in different ways'. About the connection between Erasmus and the university, we see various objects in the fourth theme, the University. For example, professors who have dealt with Erasmus in the history of the university are highlighted here.

The exhibition is composed of various objects from the collections of the University Library, the Rotterdamsch Leeskabinet and the Erasmus Collection in the Rotterdam Library. The Erasmus Collection has recently been registered as a UNESCO Memory of the World because of its unique collection of books by and about Erasmus.

In terms of content, the exhibition was designed by Drs. Sanne Steen (PhD student Erasmus Imaging in Rotterdam at the Faculty of ESPhil), Dr. John Tholen (curator Heritage Collections Library Rotterdam) and Drs. Roman Koot (curator Special Collections University Library). The exhibition is (partly) made possible by the Erasmus Committee and the EUR Lustrum.

The exhibition can be visited until 24 January 2024, on the 1st floor (next to the Rotterdamsch Leeskabinet) during the opening hours of the library.

Would you like to see or hear more about Erasmus? This is possible:

• In the Erasmus Gallery, Erasmus Building on Campus Woudestein, with an exhibition of medals with the image of Erasmus, curated by Dr. Herman Gerritsen of the NEPK (Nederlands Economisch PenningKabinet).
• Online with other interesting objects.