In 1866, the great novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky published his most famous work. Set in St Petersburg and Siberia, Crime and Punishment follows the story of student-turned-murderer Rodion Raskolnikov. Lauded on publication, the novel remains to this day a bestseller in its original Russian and its many translations.

This virtual exhibition is part of a transatlantic project to celebrate Crime and Punishment as the novel turns 150. The captions were prepared by a mixed group of arts and sciences students at the University of British Columbia, in Vancouver, in collaboration with staff in Cambridge University Library. Aided by their lecturer, Dr Katherine Bowers, the students explored the various objects’ links with the novel and its author, interacting with the items only electronically. From Russian editions to translations, from penny dreadfuls to Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins, from postcards of St Petersburg to maps of Siberia’s vast expanses, the exhibits look at Crime and Punishment and examine its story, context and extraordinary influence.

From 10 October to 5 November the virtual exhibition is accompanied by a smaller physical exhibition in the Library’s entrance hall.

The wider ‘Crime and Punishment at 150’ project can be followed throughout 2016 at http://blogs.ubc.ca/cp150/ and on Twitter using the hashtag #CP150.