Modern Greek Studies Association

The Gennadius Library of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens

History and Description

The Gennadius Library is a historic library founded in Athens in 1926. At the core of the collection are 26,000 rare volumes donated to the American School of Classical Studies by diplomat and bibliophile, Joannes (John) Gennadius.

The Gennadius Library now holds a richly diverse collection of over 120,000 books and rare bindings, archives, manuscripts, and works of art illuminating the Hellenic tradition and neighboring cultures. Its Archives hold the personal papers of important politicians and literary figures as well as artists, such as the Dragoumis family and Konstantinos Tsatsos, the papers of archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann, the papers of Odysseus Elytis and George Seferis, the two Nobel laureates of Greece, as well as papers of many representatives of the Generation of the 30’s (Elias Venezis, Angelos Terzakis, Stratis Myrivilis, etc). The latest additions to the Gennadius Archives are the archives of Vassilis Vassilikos and Vangelis Raptopoulos, as well as the papers of Constantinos Vovolinis compiler of the Great Biographical Dictionary.

Located in an architecturally significant building across the street from the main American School campus, the Library has become an internationally renowned center for the study of Greek history, literature, and art, from ancient to modern times. In addition to its role as a library and research institution, “the Gennadeion” is also an active participant in the Athenian and international community through its public lectures, seminars, concerts, exhibitions, and publications.

Access restrictions/conditions

The Gennadius Library is a privately supported research and rare book library. Its special collections include manuscripts, archives, rare books and works of art. Many of its holdings are invaluable and irreplaceable. Please respect the privilege of handling these items and help us preserve the material in the best possible way by following the rules and regulations of the Reading Room.

The Gennadius Library is a non-circulating, closed stacks library. No book or document may leave the library.