The library is known to have existed prior to 1540 as archive records show, but was re-founded in 1641 when Robert Ashley bequeathed his collection of books to the Inn. At that time, the four Inns were commonly regarded as the third university of England and as well as providing instruction in the law, they were also expected to provide members with a gentleman’s education which encompassed divinity, philosophy, arts and sciences.
Since then, the library has been housed in various places around the Inn but its first purpose built home was opened in 1861 by the then Prince of Wales and stood across the garden from the present building. This building was destroyed in 1941 following an incendiary attack. Fortunately, the majority of the books and the Molyneux Globes had already been sent out of London for safe-keeping so only a working library remained.
Following the war, the collections were housed temporarily in two prefabricated houses in Brick Court until the present building, designed by Sir Edward Maufe was opened in 1958 by the Queen Mother. Today, the library houses over 250,000 books.
The Senior Librarian, Renae Satterley, will be conducting a tour of the library which will include the Molyneux Globes and some items from the Rare Books and Manuscripts Collection. Highlights from the collection on show will include Samuel de Champlain’s Voyages (1613), a book on geometry which once belonged to John Donne, an Italian manuscript from 1783, and, for good measure, a 16th century legal book (Joost de Damhoudere, 1567).
To register for this event, or to join Senate House Library Friends, please contact: Senate House Library Office, University of London, Senate House, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HU; Tel: +44 (0)20 7862 8432;
Email: shl.officeadmin@london.ac.uk
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