The Shevchenko Library and Archive in London: History of its Creation and Collection Formation

This study, in anticipation of the 80th anniversary of the T. Shevchenko Library and Archive in London, aims to highlight the key motivations behind its creation, trace the development and activities of the institution, and examine the evolution of its collection. The research is based on archival documents from the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB) and periodicals from the mid-20th century. Despite its historical significance, this topic has not been thoroughly explored and remains underrepresented in Ukrainian historiography. Methodology. The article employs a detailed analysis of primary documentary sources to offer direct evidence on the subject. It synthesizes and generalizes information obtained from various archives and sources. The scientific significance and novelty of this work lie in its historiographical contribution. For the first time, it reviews and clarifies the documentary history of the Shevchenko Library's creation, activities, and development up to the present. Key sources from the AUGB archive in London are introduced into scientific circulation, reflecting pivotal events and individuals who influenced the institution's work. Notably, the documents of the Shevchenko Jubilee Committee, established in 1960, are also analysed, shedding light on the institution's operations over the years.