Union Theological College's Rare Books Collection is an invaluable resource for those researching Protestant (especially Puritan and Presbyterian) theology from the sixteenth century to the mid-nineteenth century. With many examples of early printing, its 8,000 volumes also include historical and literary material.
A page from one of the Bibles in the Gamble Library's rare book collection.
The Rare Books Collection contains around 8,000 books dating from the sixteenth century to approximately the mid nineteenth century. Covering a broad range of subjects, it is particularly strong in theology, history and literature. The collection is arranged in chronological order and can be searched on the British Library's English Short Title Catalogue.
Examples of early printing. Many works on Protestant (particularly Puritan and Presbyterian) theology of the sixteenth centuary onwards.
Approximately 8,000 rare books.
Many of the rare books can be searched on the British Library's English Short Title Catalogue available here
Some of our collection has been entered on the library's OPAC which can be accessed here
Library staff are currently cataloguing items which are presently not on the library's OPAC or on the British Library's English Short Title Catalogue. This is an ongoing, long term project.
Collection Dates
Created
Collected
Coverage
Additional Details
Custodial Information
Union Theological College has legal ownership of this collection. Copyright does not rest with the College for all the resources. Researchers must arrange copyright permission.
The Gamble Library was established in 1873 by Caroline Gamble in memory of her late husband, the Rev. Henry Gamble. Prior to 1873 a core library collection existed, composed of stock from the Synod of Ulster and the Secession Synod. These Synods united in 1840 to form the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. The Gamble Library of 1873 contained 4,000 books, including the complete works of the Greek and Latin Fathers of the Church. Several large book donations have been made to the library, such as the gift of 6,000 volumes by the Rev. Dr. W. Fleming Stevenson and Principal J.F. Paul's library. In 1971 the library of the Magee Theological College was associated with the Gamble Library of the Presbyterian College, Belfast. Some of the rare books came from Magee College, Londonderry.
Accrual
No active efforts are being made to add to the collection but donation are received.
![MS11/23 - Eire. Constitution. Draft. Dublin: Published by the Stationery Office: Printed by Cahill & Co., [1937] Annotated by T.F. O’Rahilly. MS. Inscription by Éamon de Valera Thanking O’Rahilly for his Assistance](/sites/default/files/styles/media_crop/public/2018-04/MS11-23.jpg?itok=P7V_xvTZ)
