Peterborough Cathedral Library
History
In the middle ages the Abbey of St. Peter, St Paul and St Andrew had an impressive library of volumes. Many of these were dispersed at the Reformation and much of the remaining library was wantonly destroyed by Cromwell’s soldiers, at the time of the general desecration of the cathedral in 1643.
The revival of the library began in 1672 under Dean John Duport, but the main enlargement came under Bishop White Kennet (1718-28), a noted writer and an avid collector of antiquarian books, many of which he eventually donated to become the basis of a re-vitalised Cathedral Library. White Kennet’s Library was housed in the New Building and through the early 18th century a series of acquisitions continued to expand this collection, but then interest and acquisitions went into a steep decline. In 1780s the Library was removed to the Trinity chapel over the Porch. This represents the bulk of the Cathedral’s collection of rare and antique books, which was removed from the Cathedral in 1970 and deposited in the Cambridge University Library. The Peterborough Cathedral Library, which is held in the Rare Books Collection at Cambridge, consists of nearly 4,500 volumes and includes some 60 incunabula (very early printed books). In the 1990s the library was packed up and moved out of the Trinity Chapel, which became for a time the choir practice room, but in 2000 it was re-packed and moved back into its old home.
Using the Cathedral Library
All of this moving left the Library in total confusion and much work has been needed to sort it all out and re-catalogue it, a re-organisation that is still on-going.
The Library is not open to the public on a regular basis, but is still accessible for research purposes and we deal with a steady stream of enquiries and personal callers who wish to research specific aspects of their family history, of local events and of Cathedral connections and personnel.
As well as religious texts and commentaries from the 19th and 20th centuries, there are documents relating to the Cathedral itself and a large collection of cuttings relating to Cathedral and City events over the past two centuries.
There is also a collection of bound copies of early 19th century local newspapers as well as Cathedral and Diocesan magazines and periodicals.
We have a substantial collection of local History texts, some books on national History to which the Cathedral has links and also Calendars of the proceedings of various Medieval and Tudor Courts including Court of Chancery records.
If you think we may have something to help you with a particular research topic then please contact us and we will see what we can do for you.
We also welcome donations of materials that fit the acquisitions policy of the Cathedral Library.
In the first instance please contact Andrew Watson, the Education and Visitors’ Officer on 01733 355300 or at a.watson@peterborough-cathedral.org.uk