The institutional weight of the Academia Real das Ciências de Lisboa [Royal Academy of Sciences of Lisbon] was notorious from the outset. The conception and evolution of the initiatives taken by the Instituto de Coimbra obeyed the principles laid down in the Articles of Association of January 1852, which were continually reformed throughout the 19th and 20th centuries (1860, 1882, 1922, 1938), even though they retained their essential matrix. In-depth work remains to be done on the classes, the respective sections, and the type of members. The individuals related to historical studies stand out in this particular field .

The lists of the Institute's members at different points of its institutional life should also be consulted in order to distinguish between the most significant historians. For example, among the first honorary members, those who stand out were Count Atanasy Raczyński (1788-1874), Manuel Francisco de Leitão e Carvalhosa (1791-1856), 2nd Viscount of Santarém, Almeida Garrett (1799-1854), Heinrich Schäefer (1794-1869), Ferdinand Denis (1798-1890), Cesare Cantù (1804-1895), Alexandre Herculano (1810-1877), and Luís Augusto Rebelo da Silva (1822-1871), among other prominent figures in Portuguese and international historical culture. This goes to highlight the interest there was in history. From another perspective, it should be noted that the Institute supported the creation of an Archaeology Section within the scope of the Literature, Fine Arts, and Letters Class. This section maintained a museum collection that became later part of the Machado de Castro Museum (1873-1874).

The first issue of O Instituto was published on 15 March 1852, with no significant editorial gaps until its complete closure in 1981. This is why it is remembered as one of the most enduring scientific and literary periodicals of the Portuguese cultural scene. Its print runs ranged from 750 to 900 copies, which could be bought individually—but preferably by subscription—at a starting price of 300 réis . This periodical was first published fortnightly, but it soon became monthly. It was continuously printed in Coimbra at the expense of the University Press. In fact, among the many obstacles faced by O Instituto , it should be noted that the compulsory closure of the University Press (1934) caused serious constraints to its continuity. Its publication was ensured by other publishers, including Coimbra Editora . Having originally adopted the graphic model of a newspaper (large octavo format), although with a somewhat undefined subject, O Instituto gradually evolved into a format more adapted to the templates of a magazine. So, after the approval of the Regulamento do Jornal do Instituto de Coimbra [Regulation of the Coimbra Institute Journal] (1861), this periodical was presented graphically with one or two columns of text and a sober decoration of engravings and photographs.

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