18th century expansion
The collections expanded substantially during the 18th century. There was less emphasis on theology and more on antiquities, history, travel, topography, and natural history.
In 1742 the library received the important bequest of the music books and scores of Philip Falle. In 1757 the Dean and Chapter bought the manuscripts (around 150 volumes) collected by the local antiquary Dr. Christopher Hunter. Several of these had once belonged to the medieval Priory Library.
Between 1823 and 1900 we acquired important additional collections from local antiquaries such as Allan, Longstaffe, Raine, Randall,Sharp and Surtees. The Library began to outgrow the Refectory. In 1849-54 the former Monks’ Dormitory was restored and fitted out as a library.
New additions in the 20th century
In the 1930s part of the Archdeacon Sharp Library was transferred to the Cathedral Library. This was followed by the music manuscripts and printed scores from Bamburgh Castle Library, jointly owned by the Lord Crewe Trustees.
The Cathedral Library today
We coordinate with other local theological libraries as to what we buy.
The Chapter Library now concentrates on acquiring works concerning:
- the cathedral and its collections
- the region we serve
- major reference works and critical studies to set the topics above in their wider contexts
- works of bibliography and manuscript studies
Find out more about our modern collections