Imagine stepping back in time to the 18th century. Here, the Christ Church Library stands as a testament to architectural ambition. It aimed to rival the grandeur of Trinity College in Cambridge and Trinity College in Dublin.
Christ Church Library is more than just a repository of books. It is a Georgian building forming the south side of Peckwater Quadrangle. Canterbury Quadrangle lies to the east.
The story of the Christ Church Library began much earlier. The first library was established in 1562. It was located in the refectory of St Frideswide’s Priory. Back then, books were chained to wooden lecterns. Around 140 of these original books still remain.
In the 1700s, a new library was envisioned. Aristocratic students would be drawn to the college. Dr George Clarke of All Souls is the most likely architect. William Townsend served as the master mason. Construction began in 1717. It stretched on until 1772.
The library’s design considered the preservation of its precious contents. Books were housed on the first floor to avoid damp and floods. The ground floor was designed as an open loggia. General John Guise bequeathed a collection of paintings. This led to the enclosure of the ground floor. It became a space to display the artwork. The Christ Church Picture Gallery has since relocated to a separate building. It is a modernist structure.
Christ Church Library has benefited from significant bequests. Robert Burton, Henry Aldrich, and William Stratford all contributed. William Wake and Charles Boyle also enriched the collections.
Today, Christ Church Library holds a vast collection. It is one of the largest collections of early printed books in Oxford. Only the Bodleian Library surpasses it. In 1946, the library held about 100000 works. As of 2006, the modern collection included around 72000 books.
Christ Church Library also hosts various exhibitions. These have showcased the art and photography of Lewis Carroll. Commemorations of Johann Joachim Winckelmann have also been displayed.
The Archive is open to anyone interested in the history of Christ Church. It welcomes those studying the Cathedral, the estates, and the people who have worked and studied here. Housed in a former brewhouse, the Archive holds administrative records. These records reflect the history of the College and Cathedral. Researchers can access these records. The Archive is open to external readers from Tuesday to Thursday.
Remember the Christ Church Library. It is a place where history and knowledge converge. It is a testament to the enduring power of books and learning.