Cambridge University Library
Organization
Biography
The first home of the University Library was at the buildings now known as the 'Old Schools', developed during the fifteenth century. In its early years the Library was under the superintendence of the University Chaplain; the first Librarian was appointed in 1577 and the first regulations for the Library's administration were drawn up five years later. Until the bequest of Tobias Rustat in 1666 the Library had no income for purchasing books, relying instead on gifts and bequests. The Library was granted the right to claim a copy of every work published in the United Kingdom by the Licensing Acts of 1662-1679 and 1685-1695, and by the Copyright Act of 1709 and successive Acts, although this privilege was not fully exploited until the nineteenth century. The Library moved to the present building, designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, in 1934.
Found in 55 Collections and/or Records:
Fonds
A catalogue of the earlier papers in the 1st vol. of Dr. W. Webb's Cambridge Collection
Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.2583
Scope and Contents
fo. 1v: [in hand of Charles Sayle] 'By a resolution of the Library Syndicate, 7 June 1893, "Leave was given to Mr J[ohn] W[illis] Clark to borrow one volume at a time of the Webb Collection of University Papers, and the Librarian was requested to see that the separate pieces were stamped and numbered before they were taken out of the Library." Mr A. Rogers states that this was done, 7 Nov. 1919.'
Dates:
1880 (Circa)
Conditions Governing Access:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Found in:
Cambridge University Library
Series
Abraham Glicksman: book and correspondence, 24 Mar. 1975 (Circa)
Series
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.8781/179-180
Dates:
24 Mar. 1975 (Circa)
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Found in:
Cambridge University Library
/
Miscellaneous letters
Fonds
Agnes Dorothee Bensly: Letter to Library, 1896
Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.4251/91
Scope and Contents
From the Fonds:
Artificial collection of single item or small collection accessions. Mainly correspondence but includes other papers.
Dates:
1896
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Found in:
Cambridge University Library
/
Miscellaneous Accessions
Fonds
Alphabetical list of incunabula and later printed books to 1653 in the University Library, Cambridge
Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.2755
Scope and Contents
In Latin.
Dates:
1755 (Circa)
Conditions Governing Access:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Found in:
Cambridge University Library
Fonds
Alwyn Faber Scholfield: Papers
Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.7894-7895
Scope and Contents
Includes correspondence with Montague Rhodes James, notes on classical literature and translations, correspondence and material relating to the University Library.
Dates:
1905-1968
Conditions Governing Access:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Found in:
Cambridge University Library
File
Annals of Cambridge University Library, 1424-1908, 1908
File
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.5090
Scope and Contents
481 folios
Dates:
1908
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Fonds
Archives of Cambridge University Library, 1424 - 2019
Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0265/UA/ULIB
Scope and Contents
The records relate to the development and management of the Library's holdings, buildings and staff.
Dates:
1424 - 2019
Conditions Governing Access:
Records of governance and finance are restricted for 50 and 30 years respectively by order of the Library Syndicate. Records containing personal data restricted for 80 years under data protection legislation. Restrictions are clearly indicated in catalogue entries.
Fonds
Arthur Charles Hamilton-Gordon, 1st Baron Stanmore: Letter to University Library, 1867
Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.4251/1344
Scope and Contents
From the Fonds:
Artificial collection of single item or small collection accessions. Mainly correspondence but includes other papers.
Dates:
1867
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Found in:
Cambridge University Library
/
Miscellaneous Accessions
File
Bibliographical notes on the architecture of Cambridge University Library, in the hands of J.W. Clark and R. Willis, 1880 (Circa)
File
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.5083
Scope and Contents
208 folios.
Dates:
1880 (Circa)
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Sub-Series
Cambridge University Library annual reports, 1982 - 2010
Sub-Series
Reference Code: GBR/0265/UA/Reports 141 etc
Scope and Contents
From the Series:
The annual reports are published by departments, research centres, museums, boards, management committees and syndicates. Occasionally, these records are accompanied by accounts, prospectuses and related reporting papers.
Dates:
1982 - 2010
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Management Group:
The University Archives are generally freely available to the holder of a reader's ticket for the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library, West Road, Cambridge CB3 9DR. Restrictions on access are imposed on certain categories of sensitive record: financial, governmental and personal, by order of the originating body or under data protection legislation. Access information, including opening hours and how to obtain a reader's ticket, appears as part of the Library's web site (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Fonds
Cambridge University Library: Diaries
Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.7808-7811
Scope and Contents
Appointments diaries listing library work, staff absences and various appointments.
Dates:
1901-1922
Conditions Governing Access:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Found in:
Cambridge University Library
Fonds
Cambridge University Library: Index to Signatures
Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.6450
Scope and Contents
List of autograph signatures found in books in Cambridge University Library, 168 folios. The names are arranged in alphabetical order. Most of the entries are in the hand of C.E. Sayle, with some in that of F.J.H. Jenkinson. The entries were first made in 1894. Probably few if any entries were made after 1929 and the book is not now in use.
Dates:
1894-1929 (Circa)
Conditions Governing Access:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Found in:
Cambridge University Library
File
Cambridge University Library: Library Journal, 14 Dec 1842-1848
File
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.2594.4
Scope and Contents
Probably compiled by Charles N. Wootton.
Dates:
14 Dec 1842-1848
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Fonds
Cambridge University Library: List of subscribers to the new library
Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.6970
Dates:
1834
Conditions Governing Access:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Found in:
Cambridge University Library
File
Cambridge University Library: minutes of Library syndicate meetings, 14 Nov 1842-17 Oct 1860
File
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.2594.3
Scope and Contents
Copy possibly in the hand of Charles N. Wootton. On fly-leaf: 'John Smith April 4th 1868'.
Dates:
14 Nov 1842-17 Oct 1860
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
File
Cambridge University Library: Supplement to the Manuscripts Catalogue
File
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.4451
Scope and Contents
'A supplement to the printed catalogue of the manuscripts in the publick library', possibly compiled by T. Parne.
Dates:
1732-1748
Conditions Governing Access:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Found in:
Cambridge University Library
Fonds
Cambridge University Library: Visitors' Book
Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.6370
Scope and Contents
476 folios. The book contains the signatures of recipients of honorary degrees and of other distinguished visitors to the University Library, beginning August 1895. Among the signatures are: (p. 13) Edward R&I, Alexandra, Victoria; (p. 39) Victoria Princess Louis of Battenberg, Louis of Battenberg; (p. 49) Arthur James Balfour; (p. 51) Haig, Jellicoe; (p. 53) Charles M. Doughty; D. Lloyd George, A. Bonar Law, Austen Chamberlain; (p. 55) J.J. Thomson, G.W. Balfour; (p. 59) Cosmo Ebor; (p....
Dates:
1895-1986
Conditions Governing Access:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Found in:
Cambridge University Library
Fonds
Charles Cockerell: Designs for Cambridge University Library
Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.9272
Dates:
1829-1840
Conditions Governing Access:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Found in:
Cambridge University Library
Fonds
Charles Cockerell: Drawings for the library and museums of Cambridge
Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.6630
Dates:
1830-1836
Conditions Governing Access:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Found in:
Cambridge University Library
Fonds
Charles Edward Sayle: Diaries and papers
Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.8501-8513, 10277-9
Scope and Contents
Diaries, writings on the history of music in Cambridge and the history of the Vatican library, correspondence and papers on Ximénès Doudan, Caspar von Kinschot and Reyner Wolfe.
Dates:
c. 1864 - 1924
Conditions Governing Access:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Found in:
Cambridge University Library
Fonds
Douglas Crawford McMurtrie: Correspondence to Francis Jenkinson and Cambridge University Library, 1922-1923
Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.4251/843-844
Scope and Contents
From the Fonds:
Artificial collection of single item or small collection accessions. Mainly correspondence but includes other papers.
Dates:
1922-1923
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Found in:
Cambridge University Library
/
Miscellaneous Accessions
Fonds
Ernest James Worman: Handlist to the Taylor-Schechter Collection
Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.6404-6405
Scope and Contents
List of manuscripts in the Taylor-Schechter Collection. For each item there is the title with a summary description, size, material, language, and date (when ascertainable).
Dates:
1906-1909
Conditions Governing Access:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Found in:
Cambridge University Library
Fonds
F.A. Brockhaus: Correspondence to the Library and W. Robertson Smith, 1886
Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.4251/152-153
Scope and Contents
From the Fonds:
Artificial collection of single item or small collection accessions. Mainly correspondence but includes other papers.
Dates:
1886
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Found in:
Cambridge University Library
/
Miscellaneous Accessions
Fonds
Francis Bell: Letter to Library, 1883
Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.4251/81
Scope and Contents
From the Fonds:
Artificial collection of single item or small collection accessions. Mainly correspondence but includes other papers.
Dates:
1883
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Found in:
Cambridge University Library
/
Miscellaneous Accessions
Fonds
Francis Jenkinson and Charles Sayle: Cambridge Books
Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.8763-8764
Scope and Contents
The volumes contain chronological lists of books printed in Cambridge owned by Cambridge University Library or found in other libraries. MS.Add.8763: 1521-1698; compiled by F.J.H. Jenkinson, c. 1890-1918, and annotated at the front 'F. Jenkinson's MS. with some notes by C. Sayle'. There are occasional cuttings from dealers' lists. MS.Add.8764: 1699-1900; compiled by C.E. Sayle, c. 1896-1902.
Dates:
1890-1918
Conditions Governing Access:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Found in:
Cambridge University Library