Scope and Contents In 1890 Lord Acton, whose financial affairs were in a state of some embarrassment, decided to sell his vast historical library at auction, and the first part of what was to have been a many-volumed catalogue was issued by Messrs Puttick & Simpson, containing 2,400 lots to be sold on eight days in July. Before this sale took place, Andrew Carnegie had (at the suggestion of Acton's friend and political mentor Gladstone) purchased the entire library, and allowed Acton to retain possession...