In terms of content the largest part of this collection is formed by books of fiction, literary theory and philosophy, as well as sociology, anthropology, linguistics, art and history. This collection includes works of ancient Greek authors like collected works of philosopher Plato in 6 volumes (published in Hamburg, 1957); Sophocles' tragedies "Antigone" (published in Stuttgart, 1977) and "Oedipus the King" (published in Frankfurt am Main, 1973); Homer's epics "Odyssey" (published in Hamburg, 1958) and the "Iliad" (published in Frankfurt am Main, 1975); as well as Aeschylus's selection of plays (published in Berlin, 1958). Romans' literary heritage is represented by Virgil's epic "Aeneid" (published in Bremen, 1981).Ludwig Wilhelm Kerkovius (1831-1904) was an active and notable participant of political, social and economic life in Riga, landlord of the mansion on 4 Kalpaka Blvd. that has housed the Central Library of the University of Latvia from 1957-2012, and now in 2013 after renovation return as Humanities and Social Sciences Research Centre and the Library of the University of Latvia

This collection includes also writings of German authors. For example the 19th century German literature is represented by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's collected works in 8 volumes (published in Berlin, 1965) and Friedrich von Schiller's collected works in 5 volumes (published in 1960). Likewise it includes works of German philosophers, like the collected works of the 18th century philosopher Immanuel Kant (published in Darmstadt, 1970), as well as the ones of the 19th century philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (published in 3 volumes in Frankfurt am Main, 1970). Two collections of works in 5 volumes (published in 1954 and 1964) of Johann Gottfried Herder - the German poet, critic, theologian and philosopher of the 18th century - are also part of this collection.

The Kerkovius family ancestors come from the Lower Rhine region in Germany. Ludwig Wilhelm Kerkovius was born in Riga in 1831 as the eldest son in the family of nine children. He attended Napoleon Asmuss private school; later he became an apprentice in his father's timber trade company.

In 1871 L.W. Kerkovius became a trader in the First Guild, he was also the Head of the Large Guild. In 1873 he was elected as a member of the City Council, but just one year later he became the city councilor. In 1878 L.W.Kerkovius was elected as a mayor assistant, but on 19 June 1890 the Riga City Council unanimously elected him as the first mayor of Riga. During this period of time the city library was established in the town hall, also the construction of Second Riga City Theater's building (current National Theatre) was started. L.W.Kerkovius was also an initiator of the construction of Riga Museum of Arts.

L.W. Kerkovius died on 18 July, 1904 and is buried in the Great Cemetery.

In total this collection contains 926 books - publications in German from 1856 to 1997, mainly published in Germany during the sixties and seventies of the 20th century.

The collection is now in the Repository. Publications can be requested electronically in the Union Catalogue.