Houghton Library’s Greek manuscript holdings include about 35 manuscript books and fragments from the 9th to the 20th century.
The collection consists primarily of liturgical books, but it also includes works on poetry, philosophy, ethics, and drama. (Papyrus fragments, most of them in Greek, are described separately on the collections page for Papyri at Houghton Library.)
Although Houghton’s collection of Greek manuscripts is relatively small compared to its Latin holdings, it includes several important Byzantine manuscripts. Some, like MS Gr 1 (a richly illuminated Gospel from the early Palaeologan period), have received some scholarly attention, but most remain understudied. Another notable Greek manuscript is MS Gr 17, a 15th-century compilation that served as a printer’s copy for the Aldus Manutius edition of Aristotle.
For complete descriptions of almost every manuscript in this collection, refer to Nadezhda Kavrus-Hoffmann’s series of articles in Manuscripta: “Catalogue of Greek Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts in the Collections of the United States of America, Part V.1: Harvard University, the Houghton Library” (2010), “Catalogue … Part V.2: Harvard University, the Houghton Library" (2010), and “Catalogue … Part V.3: Harvard University, the Houghton Library, and Andover-Harvard Theological Library" (2011).
Houghton Library’s early acquisitions have traditionally focused on Western European materials, with a strength in Latin manuscripts. Although Greek manuscripts are not the central focus of the collection, the library continues to acquire significant Greek materials when opportunities arise. Recent acquisitions include the leaves in Otto Ege’s portfolio of “Oriental manuscripts” (MS Am 3398), a small-format Byzantine psalter (MS Gr 43), and a 9th-century fragment of Gregory of Nyssa (MS Gr 44).
History
Six Greek manuscripts were among the very first medieval books to enter Harvard’s collections. In 1819, Edward Everett, a professor of Greek literature at Harvard, traveled to Constantinople, where he acquired the following manuscripts:
- MS Gr 3, a 12th century psalter ("the Harvard Psalter")
- MS Gr 4, a 14th century chronicle
- MS Gr 6, a 10th century lectionary of the Gospels, formerly a wrapping on MS Gr 12
- MS Gr 7 (vol. 1 and vol. 2), 11th century lectionaries of the Gospels, New Testament Acts, and Epistles
- MS Gr 8, 10th century theological orations
- MS Gr 12, an 11th century lectionary of the Gospels
Everett sold these Greek manuscripts (and one Latin manuscript) to Harvard in 1820. Over time, Houghton’s collections have grown through purchases and gifts from private donors, most notably Philip Hofer, founder of the Department of Printing and Graphic Arts, who added eleven Greek manuscripts to the library.
Accessing These Materials
Most Greek manuscripts begin with shelfmark ‘MS Gr.’ Some are in Houghton’s collection of Printing and Graphic Arts and therefore have shelfmarks beginning ‘MS Typ’. You can browse the MS Gr manuscripts here in HOLLIS, Harvard’s online catalog. For more information on how to search HOLLIS for manuscripts, see our research guide.
All material is accessible through Houghton Library’s reading room. Some items are restricted because of fragility or other handling concerns; if this is the case, the HOLLIS catalog record will include a restriction note.
Roughly half of the collection is partially digitized but only two are fully digitized. You may also wish to request scans.