Archives acquire naturalist's papers

The National Archives were enriched by the private papers of scientist Anthony Valletta (1909-1988).

Members of the Valletta family realised the potential of the documentation and passed this heritage on to the government's archives.

The institution is responsible for the management of all public records and the preservation and accessibility to the country's archival heritage. It operates from its three premises in Rabat, Mdina and Victoria.

Mr Valletta (right) was an all-round naturalist, specialising in his later years in the Lepidoptera, but was also interested in other insects, birds, trees and wild flowers of the island.

He travelled and collected widely and made many friends abroad, especially in England.