A New Chapter in Shrewsbury's Archives

We are delighted to launch a newly re-imagined Archives & Collections section on the Shrewsbury School website.

This section of the website represents a digital home for rare artefacts and remarkable voices from our past. From treasured manuscripts to early printed works and handwritten letters, our archives are a living testament to the curiosity, scholarship and spirit that define a Shrewsbury education.

At the heart of this launch is a special spotlight on one of our most celebrated Old Salopians, Charles Darwin, whose journey from the banks of the River Severn to scientific renown continues to inspire generations. Born in Shrewsbury in 1809, Darwin’s ground-breaking work reshaped how the world understands life itself, and his personal letters, papers and books form a fascinating strand of our archive.

Our updated online portal now allows pupils, Old Salopians, parents, researchers and friends of the School to explore this rich tapestry of history, from the Ancient (‘Taylor’) Library shelves and medieval manuscripts to the evocative Darwin correspondence charting a young naturalist’s path to discovery.

In celebrating this launch alongside the ongoing Darwin commemorations, we hope this resource will deepen appreciation for our past and spark curiosity for the future, reminding us that exploration, like learning, has no bounds.