Autor(es): Costa, Teresa ; Costa, Teresa ; Serra, Sofia ; Cunha, Ricardo ; Firmino, Pedro
Data: 2025
Origem: Jornal da Sociedade das Ciências Médicas de Lisboa
Assunto(s): Augusto Celestino da Costa; Jaime Celestino da Costa; Personal library; Medical library; Augusto Celestino da Costa; Jaime Celestino da Costa; Personal library; Medical library
Augusto Celestino da Costa, a renowned histologist, and his son Jaime Celestino da Costa, a distinguished surgeon, represent two generations of prominent portuguese physicians. This study examines their personal libraries, which were donated to the Nova Medical School, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, and are now held with restricted access at the institution’s library.Using a mixed-methods analysis that integrates both quantitative and qualitative data derived from the bibliographic catalogue, we examined 1,884 volumes comprising 1,578 unique titles, primarily in the fields of Histology, Embryology, and Cardiothoracic Surgery. The works span from 1690 to 2009 and are written in Portuguese, French, English, and Spanish.Our analysis provides insight into the professional interests and intellectual environments of both physicians, shedding light on the evolution of medical knowledge and education in Portugal. These collections also serve as valuable historical sources for understanding the development of medical sciences in the country.
Augusto Celestino da Costa, a renowned histologist, and his son, Jaime Celestino da Costa, a distinguished surgeon, represent two different generations of physicians united by family ties. The personal libraries of Augusto and Jaime Celestino da Costa are the subject of this study and were donated to the Nova Medical School of Universidade Nova de Lisboa, where they are available for consultation with restricted access in the institution's library. The collections were studied through quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques based on the information available in the library's bibliographic catalogue. The collections comprise a total of 1.884 copies of 1.578 unique records, with titles in Medical Sciences standing out, particularly Histology, Embryology, and Cardio-thoracic Surgery, published between 1690 and 2009, mostly in Portuguese, French, English, and Spanish languages. By analysing these collections, we were able to learn more about their owners and the period in which they lived. The study of these personal collections offers valuable insight into the personalities of their owners, as well as the historical and cultural context in which they lived, standing out also as an important historical source for the history of medicine in Portugal.
