Review: Bodleian Manuscripts Exhibition

Cherwell (Chantal Hadley)

Starting with William of Wykham’s purpose-built library at New College, college libraries have been relied upon since long before those of the University. The exhibition brings together manuscripts and artefacts up until the early 20th century which have all been donated as gifts.

Certainly this exhibition has illuminated manuscripts which have been kept very carefully (among them a beautiful Canterbury Tales), but they also have items which have survived the ravages of the postal service. These include Edward Lear’s illustrated letters from Egypt which talk about his Nile Diaries, never published.