Grants awarded in 2020

Jeremy Mitchell, Chair of the Edward Thomas Fellowship and a Trustee of Petersfield Museum, writes: Since 2017 an extensive and important collection (g

Lucille Munoz, Rare Books Curator, writes: In December 2020, the Friends of the National Libraries provided generous financial assistance to enable the

Victoria Peters, University Archivist, writes:  The Andersonian Naturalists’ Society is amongst the earliest student societies at the

Dr Emily Dourish, Deputy Keeper of Rare Books and Early Manuscripts, writes:

A late 15th-century Irish vellum manuscript, which was written in West Cork, Ireland for Fínghin Mac Carthaigh Riabhach at some time between his accession

Sir Charles Lyell (1797-1875) is one of the most influential scientists of the last two centuries.

Mark Dorrington writes: The University of Nottingham is once more grateful to the Friends of the National Libraries for this generous grant towards a f

Peter Young, Archivist, writes: The conduct of services is the primary function of

Ralph McLean, Manuscripts Curator (Long 18th Century Collections), writes:  The National Library of Scotland was successful in obtaining four lett

Liz Bregazzi, County Archivist, writes:  We are grateful to the Friends of

Elizabeth Henderson, Rare Books Librarian, writes:  In 2020 the University of

Sue Wood, Head of Archives, writes:  In November 2020 Northumberland Archives was able to purchase 35 letters of Charles Bennet, 4^th Ea

Rhys Jones, Assistant Manuscripts Librarian, writes: On 19 August 2020, with generous assistance from the Friends of the National Libraries, the Nation

Terry Bracher, Heritage Services Manager, writes: In 2020, the Friends of National Libraries assisted This letters patent, written on one skin of dust-

Julian Harrison, Lead Curator of Medieval Historical and Literary Manuscripts, writes: The British Library is delighted to have acquired an important m

Dr Janet Tall, Head of Archives and Learning, writes: The account book belonged to William Walrond (1610-c.1667), a member of the

Jonathan Hopson, Librarian, writes:  Elizabeth Fitzgerald (known as ‘Duffy’) trained at the Central School of Art, where she met the painter Micha

Steven Spencer, Director, writes: In 1865, William Booth, a former Methodist minister and his wife, Catherine, an independent evangelist, founded a Chr

Veronica Fraser, Archives Acquisitions and Loans Manager, writes:   This volume came to light during research for the Rosslyn exhibition at the National Gallery of S

In addition to being leading figures in the Midland Industrial Enlightenment the inventor and manufacturer Matthew Boulton (1728–1809) and the entrepreneur printer and

Mark Dorrington, Keeper of Manuscripts and Special Collections writes: The Uni

Stewart Tiley, Librarian, writes:  Emily A. Atkinson sat in a lecture hall 131 years ago assiduously taking notes on mental and moral philosophy.

Will Hale, Rare Books Specialist, writes: Cambridge University Library is very grateful to the Friends of the National Libraries for contributing half

Maureen Selley, Secretary, writes:   The North Devon Record Office in Barnstaple, Devon, holds some material relating to the North Devon Infi

Emma Yandle, Curator and Collections Manager, writes:  This rare first edition of William Cowper’s Poems, published in 1782, once belonge

Dr Jill Whitelock, Head of Special Collections, writes: Cambridge University Library is very grateful to the Friends of the National Libraries for its

Margaret Boustead, Head of Archives & Records Management, writes: In July 2020, we were excited to discover that a 17th century rental for Hackness

Richard Foster, Fellows’ Librarian and Keeper of Collections, writes: Qâdi Zâda Al-Rûmî (1364–1436) was a Turkish astronomer who worked at the observat

The major British composer Malcolm Arnold was a compositional master craftsman, notable both for the engaging accessibility of his work and its astonishing range

Dr Helen Kemp, Plume Librarian, writes: Thomas Plume's Library is an extraordinary survival.

Sam Johnston, Service Manager for Archives, writes:  Thomas Hardy, Dorset’s literary icon, is one of the na

Jessica Smith, Creative Arts Archivist, writes: The John Rylands Library, University of Manchester is very grateful to have re

Sarah Pymer, Archivist, writes:  We are delighted that a grant from Friends of the National Libraries has allowed us to purchase the

Thanks to the support of the Friends of the National Library, the Her

Sam Jolley, Assistant Curator, writes: In Spring 2020, just before the world shut down, the Royal Engineers Museum were grate

Jeremy Mitchell writes: In addition to the books in the collection donated by the late Tim Wilton-Steer’s family to the Edward Thomas Fellowship, there

David Thorold, Curator of Collections (Pre-Historic to Medieval), writes:  St Albans grew to be the premier Benedictine Mona

Susan Thomas, Head of Archives & Modern Manuscripts, writes:  The Bodleian Libraries