The Early Printed Books
The Cathedral Library has approximately 10,000 pre-1801 printed books. About half of these were collected by the Library's great benefactor, Michael Honywood (Dean of Lincoln, 1660 - 81).
All of the modern European languages are represented, as well as the classical languages of Greek and Latin. There is a first edition of Milton's Paradise Lost, as well as classics of literature in other European languages, such as a first edition of Cervantes' Don Quixote. There is a rare copy of Ireland's first printed book, a catechism in the Irish language printed in Dublin in 1571. One of the first books to be printed in New England was John Eliot's translation of the whole Bible into the language of the local native American tribe. It was printed in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1663, and is part of a group of books comprising a fascinating witness of early colonisation of the New World. There is also an outstanding collection of 17th-century tracts, proclamations and newspapers.
In addition to theology and related subjects, there are books on history, antiquities, geography, travel, medicine, science, mathematics, politics and music. Information about these books can be found in Clive Hurst's Catalogue of the Wren Library of Lincoln Cathedral (Cambridge University Press, 1982).
Seen above is "The Golden Legend" translated and printed by William Caxton in 1483/7.
All of the modern European languages are represented, as well as the classical languages of Greek and Latin. There is a first edition of Milton's Paradise Lost, as well as classics of literature in other European languages, such as a first edition of Cervantes' Don Quixote. There is a rare copy of Ireland's first printed book, a catechism in the Irish language printed in Dublin in 1571. One of the first books to be printed in New England was John Eliot's translation of the whole Bible into the language of the local native American tribe. It was printed in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1663, and is part of a group of books comprising a fascinating witness of early colonisation of the New World. There is also an outstanding collection of 17th-century tracts, proclamations and newspapers.
In addition to theology and related subjects, there are books on history, antiquities, geography, travel, medicine, science, mathematics, politics and music. Information about these books can be found in Clive Hurst's Catalogue of the Wren Library of Lincoln Cathedral (Cambridge University Press, 1982).
Seen above is "The Golden Legend" translated and printed by William Caxton in 1483/7.