Doesn’t it feel special to stand before a place that has safeguarded knowledge for centuries? That place is the Bodleian Library. Known to Oxford scholars as “Bodley” or “the Bod”, it’s more than just a library. It’s a living testament to the enduring power of books and ideas.
Founded in 1602 by Sir Thomas Bodley, this is one of Europe’s oldest libraries. The Bodleian Library is second in size only to the British Library. It holds over 13 million printed items. Imagine the countless stories, discoveries, and ideas contained within these walls.
The Bodleian incorporates an earlier library. That library was built in the 15th century. It housed books donated by Humfrey Duke of Gloucester. The Bodleian has expanded to keep pace with the accumulation of knowledge. The core of the old buildings has remained intact.
The University’s first purpose-built library was in the University Church of St Mary the Virgin. It was established around 1320. By 1488, Duke Humfrey’s library superseded that room. Duke Humfrey’s is the oldest part of the Bodleian.
Humfrey Duke of Gloucester was the younger brother of King Henry V. He gifted the University his priceless collection. It included more than 281 manuscripts. Some were important classical texts. The University built a new library for them over the Divinity School. It opened in 1488.
But this library faced a dark chapter. In 1550, the Dean of Christ Church removed all the books. He hoped to purge the English church of Catholicism. Some books were even burned. The University lacked funds to replace them. In 1556, the Faculty of Medicine took over the room.
Enter Sir Thomas Bodley. He rescued the library. Bodley was a Fellow of Merton College and a diplomat. He used his wealth to restore the library for the public use of students.
In 1598, the old library was refurbished. It housed a new collection of around 2500 books. Some books were donated by Bodley himself. The library finally opened on 8 November 1602.
Bodley didn’t stop there. In 1610, he made an agreement. The Stationers’ Company of London would deposit a copy of every book published in England. This agreement ensured the library’s future as a legal deposit library. It also guaranteed an ever-expanding collection.
Between 1610 and 1612, Bodley financed the first extension to the medieval building. It’s known as Arts End. After Bodley died in 1613, his planned Schools Quadrangle was built. These buildings housed lecture and examination rooms.
Another extension to Duke Humfrey’s Library was built in 1634–7. It’s still known as Selden End. John Selden gifted 8000 books. The Bodleian attracted scholars from all over Europe. It still welcomes scholars from around the world.
One tradition is zealously guarded. No books were to be lent to readers. Even King Charles I was refused permission to borrow a book in 1645. The Bodleian Library had no heating until 1845. It had no artificial lighting until 1929.
The growth of the collection slowed in the early 18th century. The Radcliffe Camera was built between 1737 and 1748. It was based on the designs of James Gibbs. In 1860, the Radcliffe Library was taken over by the Bodleian. It was renamed the Radcliffe Camera.
By the early 20th century, about a hundred people used the library each day. The number of books reached one million by 1914. An underground book store was excavated beneath Radcliffe Square in 1909–12.
In 1931, the decision was made to build a new library. It could hold 5 million books. Sir Giles Gilbert Scott designed the New Bodleian. It was built in 1937–40. Most recently, the New Bodleian building was renovated. It reopened as the Weston Library in 2015.
Today, the Bodleian Library continues to thrive. It serves as a vital resource for scholars and a captivating destination for visitors. As you explore its historic halls, remember that you are walking in the footsteps of countless individuals who have sought knowledge and inspiration within these walls. The Bodleian stands as a beacon of learning. It illuminates the past and inspires the future.