News from the Peterhouse Perne and Ward Libraries
by James Cassells In May 2023, I was asked to rebind two bound book manuscripts, which had been identified to be part of a funded programme to digitise certain medical manuscripts (‘Curious Cures’: https://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/research/research-development/research-projects/curious-cures). The manuscripts are normally kept in the University Library, and due to their condition, were not in a safe state to... Continue Reading →
With the generous assistance of Petrean Dilip Chandra (m. 1965), Peterhouse was able in 2020 significantly to supplement its collection of works by and about Charles Babbage (1791-1871), best known as the inventor of the difference engine and thus as a pioneer of computing. Although Babbage began his Cambridge career at Trinity, matriculating in April... Continue Reading →
Ym Mehefin eleni, wedi gohiriad o ddwy flynedd oherwydd y pandemic, mi lansiwyd A Repertory of Welsh Manuscripts and Scribes (sydd ar gael yn y Ward Library, Peterhouse) yn Oriel Gregynog, Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru (LlGC), Aberystwyth. Ar ddiwrnod hyfryd o haf, a’r haul yn tywynnu ar y mor, daeth gynulleidfa o ysgolheigion, ffrindiau a theulu... Continue Reading →
In June 2022, after a delay of two years because of the pandemic, A Repertory of Welsh Manuscripts and Scribes (now available in the Ward Library, Peterhouse) was launched in the Gregynog Gallery, in the National Library of Wales (NLW), Aberystwyth. On a beautiful summer’s day an audience of scholars, friends and family gathered to... Continue Reading →
Cast one's eye towards the History class-lists for 1959 and several names leap out amongst those select seventeen who achieved first-class honours in Part II of the Tripos. Mark Elvin traded King's for Glasgow University, St Anthony's College Oxford and, latterly, the Australian National University, where he is emeritus professor in Chinese history. Fellow King’s... Continue Reading →
In late 2019, the Ward Library was contacted by sisters, Nicole Swengley and Kristian Perry, asking if we would be interested in receiving three largely-handwritten music books, dating from the 1860s onwards, that had belonged to their great-grandmother, Hilda Routh, (née Airy). The books offered a fascinating insight into Hilda’s interests and, after meeting with... Continue Reading →
Though not one of the more prominent United Nation’s annual observances, since 2014 the fifth of December has marked the day on which the world comes together to recognise the “importance of healthy soil and to advocate for the sustainable management of soil resources” (https://www.un.org/en/observances/world-soil-day). December thus seems an opportune moment to reflect on a... Continue Reading →
Ward Library, Peterhouse. 8 November to 13 December 2021 Curated by Scott Mandelbrote This exhibition considers Gray’s life and work from the perspective of the holdings of the two Cambridge Colleges with which he was associated from 1734, when he entered Peterhouse, until his death, which occurred shortly after he was taken ill at dinner... Continue Reading →
Sir Henry Wotton’s The Elements of Architecture The first page of the preface, at the top of which Wren Sr. records his thanks to Wotton: "To the Honor of the Author & his gift Chr. Wren subscribes his thankful memorial". This short book, a compilation of architectural theory, was a gift to Christopher Wren Sr.... Continue Reading →
Syed Mohammad Hadi (m. 1921) [PET.PHOTO.1.5(56)] With the eyes of the world eagerly trained on Tokyo and the successes and setbacks of the globe's most accomplished athletes, it seems an appropriate moment to celebrate one of Peterhouse's very own true sporting greats – and an Olympian to boot. It is almost exactly one hundred years... Continue Reading →
The Perne & Ward Libraries 