GLAM Survey of Collecting Policy & Practice:
Bodleian Library, University of Oxford

The Bodleian holds encyclopaedic collections built up since the early seventeenth century, probably second in size only to the British Library, from Anglo-Saxon verse to the papers of contemporary writers such as Alan Garner, and many ‘treasures’ in between. The early modern period is particularly strong, benefiting from the bequests of Richard Rawlinson and Francis Douce, while nineteenth-century holdings include the world’s most significant collection of material relating to Shelley and his circle. Writers with a strong Oxford association, such as Hopkins, Larkin, Pym, Grahame, Auden and Tolkien feature prominently in the later period. The library also holds the most significant collection of Kafka manuscripts.

Recent Acquisitions

Description of acquisition (including extent) Type of acquisition Source of acquisition
1.  Abinger Papers – the last of 3 tranches of papers relating to Godwin/Shelley, formally on deposit. Purchase Offer from ownerFunded by: Own resources, grant & benefactor support
2. Papers of Philip Larkin (his letters to Monica Jones) Purchase Dealer.Funded by:  own resources, grant & benefactor support
3.  Papers of Alan Garner, author Gift
4. Papers of Franz Kafka Gift
5. Papers of Isiah Berlin Gift

For further information or enquiries, please contact the Bodleian Library direct.

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