Treasures from Oxford College libraries on display
29 May 08
Beyond the Work of One is inspired by a sermon delivered in 1879 in Keble Chapel on the first day of the opening of the Library. Dr Edward King, Regius Professor of Pastoral Theology said: ‘The accumulation of a library of books is obviously beyond the work of any one, and yet it is a work in which all may unite. This is the way our libraries have grown up, by separate individual gifts.’
Dr Sarah ThomasThis exhibition is a marvellous example of Oxford at its best: hidden gems brought to light
In the exhibition, rarely displayed manuscripts, books, documents and artifacts from around the world belonging to twenty-seven College collections, a Private Hall, the Oxford Union and the Bodleian Library will be brought together for the first time.
Highlights include a 14th-century bishop’s mitre made of silk with pearls and semi-precious stones belonging to William of Wykeham, Bishop of Winchester and Chancellor of England, founder of New College. There is also an illuminated Psalter that belonged to Elizabeth, wife of Henry VII and Katherine of Aragon, wife of Henry VIII and Boccaccio’s De claris mulieribus illustrated with hand-coloured woodcuts.
Samuel Johnson’s gruel mug, used on his regular visits to his friend Thomas Warton in Oxford, will also be displayed.
A final section will honour a few of the most outstanding benefactors, such as William Gray (c1414-78), Thomas Allen (1540-1632), Archbishops Laud (1573-1645) and Wake (1657-1737), and Lord Nuffield (1877-1963). Highlights include The Key to the Sciences, a 14th-century Arabic manuscript compendium of linguistic sciences donated by Archbishop Laud to St John’s College
Dr Sarah Thomas, the Bodleian’s Librarian and Director of Oxford University Library Services, said: ‘This exhibition is a marvellous example of Oxford at its best: hidden gems brought to light, collaboration across the many Oxford University libraries and a celebration of benefaction over centuries.’
Beyond the Work of One will be open from 24 May 2008 to 1 November 2008, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturday 9am to 4.30pm in the Exhibition Room, Old Schools Quadrangle, Catte Street, Oxford. Admission free.