It should be noted that O Instituto was a repository of information about the University of Coimbra, a "perfect reflection" of its dynamics—where you can find notes on the school and disciplinary curricula, the biographical and professional data of students and teachers, and the academic prizes and distinctions, and never forgetting the reforms that are always necessary. Progressively, this periodical became the main organ for scientific dissemination at the University and an irreplaceable source of information for Portuguese and European university historiography. Consequently, the vast amount of articles and scientific papers published in O Instituto focused on the history and daily life of the University, its faculties and ancillary establishments, among historical and archaeological studies of Coimbra and its surroundings over the centuries—probably the most noticeable historiographical trend—even though it covered almost all literary and scientific fields. There was a wide range of historiographical subjects published, and the persistent inclusion of historians on the editorial staff is noteworthy—at least starting from the 4th series, which began in 1925, a trend that continued until its closure.

O Instituto had a distribution network that guaranteed the delivery of the editions to other parts of the country, as well as to the overseas provinces, with only a few days or weeks' delay. A brief look at the list of contributors to this periodical is enough to realise the national and international scale it reached, thus fostering scientific reciprocity between the University and a whole network of contacts set up by the Instituto de Coimbra : "The genesis of the Instituto de Coimbra is inseparable from the Coimbra environment and the life of the University". So, the Institute did not create laboratories, cabinets, or observatories because these had already existed at the University since the Pombal reform in 1772. The Institute's members, most of whom were linked to the University—particularly those in its directive roles—needed a point of communication and dissemination of the experiments carried out on the university's facilities. [...] Even when the Institute favoured relations with foreign entities, it did so in a way that benefited both the Institute and the University. The role that the Instituto de Coimbra played in the development of science in Portugal must therefore be seen in this relationship with the University. However, the Institute itself acquired a high level of prestige that transcended regional and national boundaries" (Licínia R. Ferreira, "O papel das academias no desenvolvimento da ciência em Portugal..." [The role of the academies for the development of science in Portugal], 2011, pp. 1285-1286).

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | (Pdf)