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This fascinating book describes the history of Oxford University's great academic library, from the foundation of Cobham's Library in 1367, Richard de Bury's library at Durham College, Duke Humphrey's Library, Sir Thomas Bodley's bequest and on to the late nineteenth century.
Macray's scholarly work abounds with fascinating detail and draws not only on the Bodleian's official archives but also many diaries and gossipy anecdotes. It comes as something of a shock to discover that one of Bodley's friends accused him of being 'so drunk with applause and vanitie of his librarie' that he disregarded the needs of his own family and servants. As late as 1712, Bodley's relations were appealing to the Vice Chancellor for relief from the direst poverty.
Among the many strange gifts received by the Bodleian was a half-burned Russian translation of the Pickwick Papers found at Sebastopol when the battery was stormed in 1855.
List of contents
ANNALS 3; APPENDIX I Leland's List of MSS 399; II (a) Sir T. Bodley's Will 402; II (b) His Deed of Endowment 412; III List of Donors, 1600 - 170 419; IV Account of a 'Tartar Lambskin' Cloak 431; V Books Printed on Vellum 435; VI MSS Formerly in Monastic & other Libraries 439; VII Notes of a few Bindings 450; VIII MSS. and Curiosities Exhibited in the Library and Picture Gallery 458; IX Numismatic Collection 483; X List of Past Librarians 485; XI Present Staff of the Library 490; XII Rules of the Library 493; Addenda et Corrigenda 494; Index 495. ILLUSTRATIONS: Statue of Sir Thomas Bodley frontispiece; Half-length Portrait of Bodley between p. 16 and p. 17; View of the Reading Room between p. 16 and p. 17; Portrait of Dr. R. Rawlinson between p. 16 and p. 17
