Oxford’s libraries are among the most celebrated in the world, not only for their incomparable collections of books and manuscripts, but also for their buildings, some of which have remained in continuous use since the Middle Ages. Among them the Bodleian, the chief among the University’s libraries, has a special place.
First opened to scholars in 1602, it incorporates an earlier library erected by the University in the fifteenth century to house books donated by Humfrey, Duke of Gloucester. Since 1602 it has expanded, slowly at first but with increasing momentum over the last 150 years, to keep pace with the ever-growing accumulation of books and papers, but the core of the old buildings has remained intact.
These buildings are still used by students and scholars from all over the world, and they attract an ever-increasing number of visitors, for whose benefit this guide has been written.*
Lovely photos. I would love to go there.
It was a very interesting tour I would like to go back for one of the longer ones.
At least the current librarians do not hide the facts… ” in 1550 it was denuded of its books after a visitation by Richard Cox, Dean of the newly-founded Christ Church. He was acting under legislation passed by King Edward VI designed to purge the English church of all traces of Roman Catholicism, including ‘superstitious books and images’.”"
So much English heritage was destroyed during the reformation. Not just religious but everything connected with it. One day the nation will look back and weep at the folly.
We look askance at what waves of wreckers – such as today’s ISIS – do to the heritages they invade. But generally ignore our own.
By the way…. why the name ‘Bodleian’?
I think some people now look back and are saddened by the loss and destruction.
It is named after Sir Thomas Bodley, who re-founded the library. By finding benefactors and and also donating books to the library himself the library was stocked with 2500 books when it opened in 1602.
A fine set off pictures showing off a fine building, Cherie
It is a fine building
That is a fantastic library. Bet it’s cold in winter though!
I love the pic of the ceiling and also that tall window. What a view. It would be hard to focus on ones books in that building.
The books and reading rooms are placed elsewhere in the library, but that too has a lot of character.
Look at the ceiling!
Reminded me so much of Bath Abbey
It is a long time since I visited Bath Abbey.
I’ve always wondered what it looked like.
It is a shame that no cameras were allowed in the part where the reading library is. That is really interesting
I remember the first time I ever saw this building was on a Morse episode. Unfortunately I can’t remember which one it was. I’m not going through all my collection to find out