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Bodleianalia: Curious Facts about Britain's Oldest University Library
Which is the smallest book in the Bodleian Library? How many miles of shelving are there in its Book Storage Facility? What is fasciculing? Who complained when their secret pen name was revealed in the library’s catalog? Why did the library refuse to lend a book to King Charles I? The answers to these questions are just a few of the remarkable bits of bibliophile trivia uncovered by Claire Cock-Starkey and Violet Moller in this intriguing collection of curious facts about one of Britain’s oldest university library.
With more than twelve million items and many priceless treasures, including the Gutenberg Bible, Shakespeare’s First Folio , five thirteenth-century copies of Magna Carta, and Tolkien’s original watercolors for The Hobbit, the Bodleian also boasts many strange events and eccentric characters through the ages that contributed to its world-class renown today. From deep within the archives, Cock-Starkey and Moller have compiled a great many lesser-known facts about the Bodleian Library’s fascinating history, organizing them into easily browsable lists, factoids, and statistics.
With more than twelve million items and many priceless treasures, including the Gutenberg Bible, Shakespeare’s First Folio , five thirteenth-century copies of Magna Carta, and Tolkien’s original watercolors for The Hobbit, the Bodleian also boasts many strange events and eccentric characters through the ages that contributed to its world-class renown today. From deep within the archives, Cock-Starkey and Moller have compiled a great many lesser-known facts about the Bodleian Library’s fascinating history, organizing them into easily browsable lists, factoids, and statistics.
- GenresNonfiction
128 pages, Hardcover
Published January 13, 2017
3 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
About the author
Claire Cock-Starkey
24 books25 followersI started out in media, working at BBC Radio Four and Five Live before going on to work at LBC. From there I found my spiritual home working with Ben Schott, starting out as researcher on the Sporting, Gaming and Idling Miscellany. I went on to help develop the format for Schott’s Almanac, working as Assistant Editor on the first two books before rising to become UK & Series Editor on the four subsequent UK books, three German and three US editions.
Working with Ben I also had the opportunity to assist with various miscellaneous offerings for The Daily Telegraph, The Times, Conde Nast Traveller, New York Times, Vanity Fair and Smythson diaries.
After producing a small team of children I decided it was time to set up on my own, so since 2011 I have been busily working as a freelance writer and editor – juggling writing books and articles, project managing a vast array of Lego building operations and editing and indexing a number of non-fiction titles.
I am happiest perched in the British Library reading rooms surrounded by a pile of obscure and fascinating books researching my next offering.
Working with Ben I also had the opportunity to assist with various miscellaneous offerings for The Daily Telegraph, The Times, Conde Nast Traveller, New York Times, Vanity Fair and Smythson diaries.
After producing a small team of children I decided it was time to set up on my own, so since 2011 I have been busily working as a freelance writer and editor – juggling writing books and articles, project managing a vast array of Lego building operations and editing and indexing a number of non-fiction titles.
I am happiest perched in the British Library reading rooms surrounded by a pile of obscure and fascinating books researching my next offering.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 31, 2016
Absolutely fascinating. Every page is a gem of information about this amazing place. Recommend to all.
Read
April 17, 2017A great little book that had to be read in one go while at my state library yesterday as books can't be borrowed from here.
Features all sorts of facts and details from the start of the Bodleian library, about the place, books and staff.
Features all sorts of facts and details from the start of the Bodleian library, about the place, books and staff.
March 19, 2021
(3.5 STARS)
Personally, I didn’t find every page of this little book the most interesting, but I did learn a handful of fun facts about the Bodleian by the end.
Personally, I didn’t find every page of this little book the most interesting, but I did learn a handful of fun facts about the Bodleian by the end.
August 17, 2024
Quick and interesting read. Lots of information I didn’t know about. Would recommend for anyone interested in libraries, Oxford, and of course the Bodleian Libraries.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews