BODLEIAN (bod'h"..-an) LIBRARY. The great library of the University of Oxford, Eng land. The first library, the foundation of Hum phrey, Duke of Gloucester, was destroyed by the fanaticism of Edward Vi.'s Commissioners for the Reform of the University. Sir Thomas Dud ley's was a restoration (1602), and his active quest of valuable publications was equaled by his munificence. Formally opened with great cere mony, November 8. 1603, it was the next year granted letters patent by .Tames I., who himself gave it the name of its founder. One of Bodley's first \vas the presentation of a large collec tion of valuable books, purchased on the Conti nent at an expense of £10,000. Through his influence and noble example. the library was speedily enriched by numerous other important contributions. Among, the earliest. subsequent benefactors were the Earl of Pembroke, who presented it with 230 volumes of valuable Greek manuscripts: Sir Thomas Itoe; Sir Kenehn Rigby: and Archbishop Laud, who made a 'nag i I icent donation of 1300 manuscripts in more than twenty different languages. About Sun° volumes of the library of the famous John Sel den also went to the Bodleian Library. General Fairfax presented it with Ily manuscripts, among which was linger Dodsworth's collection of 160 volumes on English history. The first catalogue of printed books was published by the first librarian, Dr. James (1605). Among some of the important bequests of the Nineteenth Cen tury were the collections of Richard Gough, on British topography and Saxon and Northern ...
erature; of Edmund Malone, the editor of Shakespeare: and of Francis Douce; also. the
sum of f•0,000, by the Rev. Robert Mason, the interest to be expended on books. By purchase, the library acquired some fine collections of Ori ental, Greek, Latin. and Hebrew hooks and manu scripts. The Bodleian Library is particularly rich in biblical indices, rabbinical literature, and materials for Rritish history. Along with the British Alummni, it enjoys the right of receiving a copy of every hoot: appearing in England. There are more than halt a million bound vol umes, :30,000 volumes of manuscripts. besides valuable pictures and relics. The buildings con tain also ninny art treasures, as the Pomfret and Arundel marbles. and the Hope collection of portraits. One of its most interesting paintings is that of Sir Thomas Bodley, full length. There is also a marble bust of him. Members of the university who have taken a degree are admitted to the use of the library, a small addition to the matriculation fees and an annual payment being charged for the privilege. Literary liken, prop erly recommended, are allowed to make extracts from the works in the library, which is usually open from 9 o'clock in the morning to 5 in the afternoon. Connected with the main library is now a circular structure called the Camera Rod leiana, the gift of Dr. Radcliffe. which is kept open from 10 A.M. to 10 r.at. It contains the more eommon hooks, and is used as a reading room. The tercentenary of the foundation was eclebraled with great splendor in the fall of 1902. Consult Maeray, Annals of the Bodleian Library (Oxford, 1S68).