The Library of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, 1584–1637

The first early history of this library detailing the intellectual resources available to the many influential Emmanuel men of the period.

Sargent Bush (Edited by), Carl J. Rasmussen (Edited by)

9780521308465, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 5 February 1987

236 pages
24 x 15.2 x 1.8 cm, 0.47 kg

This book provides a detailed record of the early history of the library at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, from the foundation of the College in 1584 to the completion of the seventh major inventory of the library's contents in 1637. This half-century formed a dynamic period in the religious and political as well as the educational life of the nation. The influence of Emmanuel, a notoriously Puritan college from its founding, was felt especially in the striking prominence of its alumni among New World settlers (among them John Harvard) and, during the English Civil War, in the placement of Emmanuel men in many key positions, including the Masterships of numerous Cambridge colleges. While these men were being educated Emmanuel's library expanded dramatically, and the seven increasingly large inventories of library books recorded there during the period give an indication of their concerns and their scholarship. Now, for the first time, the intellectual resources - by no means narrowly 'Puritan' - of this major institutional library are available for the study of all who are interested in the history of the period.

List of illustrations
Acknowledgements
Introduction
A note on the catalogue descriptions
Illustrations
Catalogue of the Library, April 27, 1637
Books lost or replaced, 1597–1637
Appendix: Donors, 1584–1637
Index.

Subject Areas: Early history: c 500 to c 1450/1500 [HBLC], British & Irish history [HBJD1]