Within the NMBL’s holdings, the archive collection constitutes an invaluable and unique resource. It holds key documents relating to the early history of the MBA as well as the marine biological sciences in general. Specifically, the institutional archive holds papers detailing the history and development of the MBA, its laboratory and building, its research vessels and the aquarium. Personal papers of MBA scientists include scientific papers, letters, notebooks, photographs, glass negatives, slides and illustrations. The collection documents the history of marine sciences in Britain and the diversity of the collection has shown itself to be of interest to researchers from many academic disciplines as well as to members of the public.

The archive catalogue is available online here.